Dr. Stephen Appiah Takyi has proposed a stronger decentralised enforcement system that will empower District Assemblies to take immediate action against activities that increase flood risks.
He called for the establishment of special district-level planning committees tasked with mapping flood-prone communities, identifying illegal developments, enforcing planning regulations, restoring blocked drainage channels, and coordinating rapid responses during emergencies.
According to him, local authorities understand the environmental challenges within their jurisdictions and must therefore be given the necessary authority, resources, and support to act decisively.
“In the short term, Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and other cities are all vulnerable. We need urgent action now, not later,” he stressed.
Need for Risk Mapping and Better Urban Planning
The KNUST planning expert also called for scientific risk mapping of communities, explaining that flooding patterns differ across regions and settlements.
He noted that many older communities were originally developed in relatively safer locations, while newer settlements have expanded into wetlands, river channels, and low-lying areas, increasing their exposure to flooding.
Dr. Appiah Takyi said Ghana must adopt a structured classification system that identifies communities according to their flood risk levels to guide planning decisions and prevent unsafe developments.
Climate Change and Urban Pressure
He explained that climate science recognises the difference between long-term climate change and short-term climate variability.
According to him, Ghana is experiencing changing climate patterns and variations in rainfall intensity, which worsen flooding when combined with poor urban planning, weak enforcement, and inadequate infrastructure.
He stressed the need for climate-informed planning and infrastructure designs that take future environmental risks into account.
Loss of Green Spaces Worsening Flooding
Dr. Appiah Takyi further expressed concern over the loss of green spaces in major Ghanaian cities, arguing that rapid urbanisation and concrete expansion have reduced natural areas that help absorb and manage stormwater.
He referenced cities such as New York, London, Vancouver, and Abuja, where parks and green areas are incorporated into urban planning to support drainage, reduce heat, and maintain environmental balance.
He warned that the absence of these natural buffers increases surface runoff and worsens flooding during heavy rainfall.
Evidence-Based Planning Needed
Drawing from his academic work in environmental governance and urban planning, particularly his research on Accra, Dr. Appiah Takyi emphasised the importance of evidence-based decision-making in achieving sustainable urban development.
He called for greater reliance on scientific data, environmental assessments, and geographic information systems in planning decisions instead of politically motivated or speculative development approvals.
Strengthening Emergency Response
He also suggested that in extreme situations, coordinated national response mechanisms, including support from security agencies such as the Ghana Armed Forces, may be required to assist with evacuation, enforcement, and disaster management.
However, he stressed that such interventions must operate within legal frameworks and proper institutional coordination.
Dr. Appiah Takyi concluded that Ghana’s flooding crisis will persist unless the country strengthens enforcement of planning laws, invests in long-term infrastructure, empowers local authorities, and embraces climate-resilient urban development.
He emphasised that national development must be guided by environmental realities and scientific planning principles rather than short-term political or commercial interests.
Until these reforms are fully implemented, he warned that Ghana may continue to experience recurring floods, destruction of property, and disruption of lives during every rainy season.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah