National Action Needed to Address Recurring Flood Crisis – GMA

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called for urgent national action to address the country’s recurring flood crisis.

It warns that the perennial disaster continues to claim lives, destroy livelihoods and expose communities to increasing public health risks.

The Association expressed grave concern over the persistent flooding affecting major cities and communities across Ghana, particularly Accra, describing the situation as a recurring pattern of destruction that has persisted for more than a decade. It cited casualties recorded across four regions, blamed poor planning and weak enforcement of regulations, and proposed an eight-point action plan aimed at protecting public health.

“We urge the President to take tough and decisive decisions and actions that will bring significant and lasting solutions to the perennial flood situation in Accra and other communities,” the Association stated.

The GMA noted that Accra has experienced repeated flooding over the years, resulting in severe consequences for residents, businesses and critical infrastructure.

According to the Association, major flooding incidents occurred in Accra in 2010, 2015 and 2021, with the crisis now extending beyond the capital to several towns and cities across the country.

It attributed the increasing frequency and severity of flooding to a combination of climate change and poor urban planning, stressing that the problem is no longer confined to a single region or rainy season.

Citing preliminary reports on the current floods, the Association said the Greater Accra Region recorded 12 deaths, seven missing persons, while 38,802 people from 7,761 households have been affected.

In the Central Region, Cape Coast recorded 18 deaths, including fatalities resulting from building collapses.

The Association also reported that about 1,200 people had been displaced in Samreboi in the Western Region, while approximately 60 communities in the Volta Region have been affected by the floods.

According to the GMA, the figures illustrate the extent to which the flooding crisis has spread beyond Accra to affect communities across the southern parts of the country.

The Association identified several long-standing factors contributing to the recurring disasters, including inadequate and poorly maintained drainage systems, rapid urbanisation, deforestation and poor waste disposal practices.

It also cited encroachment on wetlands and natural waterways, illegal mining activities, political interference, weak enforcement of zoning laws and building regulations, limited public education on flood prevention and inadequate infrastructure as major causes of the problem.

The GMA further stated that these challenges are worsened by the approval of illegal developments in flood-prone areas, inadequate funding and manpower for effective monitoring and enforcement, weak legal sanctions against offenders, and insufficient equipment and logistics for emergency rescue operations.

Despite criticising the systemic challenges behind the recurring floods, the Association commended government’s response to the current situation.

It praised the Ministry of the Interior for its early public risk communication during the flooding in Accra and acknowledged the emergency response and relief efforts being coordinated by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ministry of Health.

The Association reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support ongoing relief efforts.

At the centre of the GMA’s appeal is an eight-point action plan aimed at reducing both the impact and recurrence of flooding.

The Association called for increased investment in the rehabilitation, expansion and regular maintenance of drainage systems to improve stormwater management.

It also urged strict enforcement of land use planning regulations to prevent construction in flood-prone areas and protect wetlands and natural watercourses, while intensifying public education on flood preparedness and responsible waste disposal.

The GMA further recommended integrated urban planning, stronger institutional accountability through transparent monitoring systems and the depoliticisation of flood prevention measures.

It stressed that public officials and individuals who facilitate or approve illegal developments that endanger public safety must be held accountable.

The Association also called for improved emergency response capacity by adequately resourcing and equipping NADMO, the Ghana National Fire Service, hospital emergency departments and the Department of Social Welfare to strengthen preparedness for future flood emergencies.

Beyond its policy recommendations, the GMA advised residents in flood-affected communities to adopt preventive health measures, including regular handwashing with soap under running water, drinking safe water, eating freshly prepared meals, proper waste disposal and seeking immediate medical attention if they develop diarrhoea or other symptoms of illness.

The Association concluded by reaffirming its commitment to supporting evidence-based reforms that will reduce the frequency and impact of flooding while protecting the health, lives and livelihoods of Ghanaians.

It said with casualty figures continuing to emerge from several regions, attention is now focused on government’s response to its call for accountability, sustained investment in drainage infrastructure and decisive action to end what it described as a recurring national crisis.