Samini Blames Poor Urban Planning for Recurring Floods

Ghanaian reggae and dancehall artiste Samini has criticised authorities responsible for urban planning, blaming poor regulation and weak enforcement for the recurring flooding in Accra following recent heavy rains.

The award-winning musician took to social media platform X to express frustration over what he described as a long-standing failure to address the capital’s drainage and development challenges.

Reacting to the latest flooding incident that affected several communities, Samini questioned why Accra continues to experience severe floods despite decades of planning responsibility under Ghanaian authorities.

He noted that although town and country planning has been under national control since independence, the problem of flooding persists year after year without lasting solutions.

“We have been in charge of town and country planning since 1957, yet we see floods every year. Who has been doing the planning, chale?” he wrote.

The artiste also raised concerns about the approval of buildings in waterways and flood-prone areas, suggesting that accountability must be enforced to prevent further environmental and infrastructural damage.

Samini’s comments come as residents in several parts of Accra continue to assess damage caused by flooding, which submerged homes, disrupted transport services and displaced families.

Many affected communities have been left counting their losses as authorities work to clear blocked drains and restore normalcy in flood-hit areas.

His remarks have sparked widespread discussion on social media, with users sharing similar concerns about poor drainage systems, unregulated construction and weak enforcement of planning laws.

Some commentators have called for stronger action from city authorities, including stricter monitoring of building permits and the demolition of structures obstructing waterways.

The latest floods have once again reignited national debate about urban planning challenges in Accra, with experts and citizens urging long-term solutions rather than temporary responses to seasonal flooding.

As the conversation continues, attention is turning to whether authorities will implement more sustainable measures to address the city’s long-standing drainage and development problems.