Flooding in Accra Ghana’s capital is worsening each year but it’s not only due to climate change. A new study by urban sustainability experts reveals that poor land use planning and weak regulation enforcement are the real culprits. As more wetlands are overtaken by construction and drains clogged with waste, urgent reforms are needed to protect the city from sinking under its own mismanagement.
A growing flood problem in West Africa
Urban flooding is becoming a critical issue across the global south. In 2024 alone, more than 4 million people were affected by floods in West and Central Africa. Ghana is among the hardest hit, with major cities like Accra and Kumasi facing annual flood damage.
In response to this escalating problem, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has set up a national task force to improve flood resilience. But what exactly is causing these floods and what can be done about it?
A deeper look: climate or planning failure?
A recent study by urban planning and sustainability scholars examined Accra’s flooding to determine whether it was the result of climate change or poor land use. After interviewing 100 households in flood-prone neighborhoods like Kaneshie, Adabraka, and Kwame Nkrumah Circle and consulting officials from city planning and environmental agencies the answer became clear.
While 40% of residents believed both rainfall changes and planning failures played a role, the majority (52%) blamed weak enforcement of land use regulations alone. Only 8% thought the regulations themselves were to blame.
Data supported this view. In 2017, rainfall levels dropped, yet flooding increased a contradiction that pointed toward systemic planning issues rather than climate variation alone.
Wetlands under threat
One of the most alarming findings was the continued encroachment on natural wetlands such as Densu Delta, Sakumo Lagoon, and Songor Lagoon. Over a decade, more homes and commercial buildings have been illegally constructed in these buffer zones, changing the natural water flow and increasing flood risk.
Many respondents blamed political interference, saying regulations are ignored during development. Building permits are costly and complex, so people often build illegally. Meanwhile, city authorities are under-resourced and unable to enforce planning laws, allowing chaotic, unregulated urban growth.
Key drivers of flooding in Accra
Researchers concluded that flooding in Accra is largely man-made, driven by:
- Poor waste disposal that clogs drainage systems during rains
- Construction on wetlands due to weak enforcement or disregard of regulations
- Political interference that prevents agencies from doing their jobs
- Lack of coordination between planning authorities
The path forward: smart, sustainable cities
To prevent future disasters, Ghana must adopt smarter urban planning and waste management strategies. Recommendations include:
- Strengthening waste management systems: Encourage plastic recycling, composting, and better drain maintenance.
- Protecting wetlands: Enforce buffer zones and collaborate with the judiciary for stricter penalties on encroachment.
- Introducing green infrastructure: Rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavements, and tree planting can help absorb stormwater naturally.
- Polluter pays principle: Make those who cause pollution or build illegally pay for the damage caused like in cities such as Helsinki and Barcelona.
- Environmental incentives: Introduce programs like deposit-refund systems that reward sustainable habits, already successful in parts of the US and Australia.
Conclusion
Accra’s flood crisis is not just a natural disaster, it’s a governance issue. Unless land use is managed better, wetlands protected, and citizens held accountable for environmental harm, the city will continue to suffer. The good news? Solutions exist. With the right political will, smarter policies, and public participation, Accra can become a model for urban resilience in West Africa.