Poor Planning, Aging Infrastructure Fuel Accra Flooding — A-Plus
The Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, widely known as A-Plus, has blamed Accra's perennial flooding on decades of poor urban planning, obsolete drainage infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, urging authorities to pursue lasting solutions rather than seasonal responses.
Speaking in an interview, the lawmaker said Ghana must begin to confront the structural causes of flooding instead of revisiting the same challenges every rainy season. He warned that without decisive action, the country would continue to experience recurring flood disasters.
Recalling a personal experience, Obeng said he witnessed severe flooding in Accra as far back as 1995 when his vehicle was nearly swept away around the Circle area after he returned from seeing his father off at the airport. He noted that although the city's population has grown significantly over the years, investment in drainage infrastructure has failed to keep pace.
He identified indiscriminate disposal of refuse as a major contributor to flooding, explaining that waste dumped into drains is washed downstream during heavy rainfall, blocking waterways and restricting the free flow of stormwater.
The lawmaker also said much of Accra's drainage network was constructed several decades ago for a far smaller population, making it incapable of meeting the demands of the rapidly expanding metropolis.
Obeng expressed concern over the condition of the Odaw River, saying it has deteriorated into a refuse channel despite its environmental importance.
He also questioned the lack of sustained progress in efforts to restore the Korle Lagoon, arguing that repeated promises have not translated into meaningful action.
"Our biggest problem is that we are unwilling to confront the truth about our long-standing challenges. Unless we take decisive action, we will continue to have this same conversation every year," he said.
"The drains serving Accra today were built decades ago for a much smaller population. Combined with indiscriminate waste disposal, the infrastructure can no longer cope with the demands of the city," Obeng added.
He maintained that tackling Accra's flooding requires honest leadership, responsible environmental practices and sustained investment in modern drainage infrastructure, stressing that practical solutions, rather than symbolic political gestures, are needed to protect lives and property.
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