Malik Adama, an aspiring National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for massive investment in stormwater drainage infrastructure and stricter enforcement of planning regulations to address Accra’s perennial flooding challenge.
Speaking in an interview, Malik Adama said flooding in the national capital can be significantly reduced if government commits the necessary resources to constructing modern storm drains, expanding drainage networks and implementing effective urban planning measures.
According to him, although Accra has experienced flooding for decades, the country has yet to implement the large-scale engineering solutions needed to permanently tackle the problem.
He explained that the flooding challenge is primarily an engineering issue that requires substantial capital investment rather than temporary interventions.
Malik Adama said the city needs additional storm drains and water retention facilities capable of holding excess rainwater during heavy downpours before gradually releasing it into larger drainage systems.
He noted that similar infrastructure previously existed in areas such as Labadi and the Sakumo Ramsar Site, helping to regulate the flow of stormwater. However, he said many of these facilities have been lost due to encroachment and uncontrolled urban development.
He further observed that many drains across Accra have become either too narrow to handle current volumes of stormwater or have been blocked by refuse, sand and silt, reducing their capacity to channel water effectively.
According to Malik Adama, routine desilting of drains is essential if the city is to reduce flooding during the rainy season. He added that Accra’s predominantly clay soil absorbs very little water, making efficient drainage infrastructure even more important.
He explained that when drainage channels are obstructed, stormwater overflows into nearby communities, causing extensive flooding and damage to property.
Malik Adama cited communities such as Ashaiman, Nima and Maamobi, where improved drainage infrastructure has helped reduce flooding over the years. However, he noted that low-lying communities including Klagon, Baatsona, Okpoi Gonno and areas around Shalom Spot remain highly vulnerable because drainage infrastructure has failed to keep pace with rapid urban growth.
He therefore called on planning authorities to ensure that adequate drainage systems are constructed before approving new housing developments.
The NDC national vice chairmanship aspirant also attributed flooding along sections of the N1 Highway to drainage channels whose capacities were reduced during road construction, thereby restricting the free flow of stormwater to the sea.
On the issue of demolishing structures built on waterways, Malik Adama said authorities should approach the exercise as part of broader infrastructure development rather than as a punitive measure. He argued that government should first establish drainage alignments and proceed with construction, after which structures obstructing the projects should be removed in accordance with the law.
He further called for improved waste management, regular desilting of drains and increased provision of public waste bins to discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage systems.
While urging citizens to adopt responsible sanitation practices, Malik Adama stressed that government also has a responsibility to provide the infrastructure necessary for proper waste disposal.
He concluded that sustained investment in modern drainage infrastructure, effective urban planning, routine maintenance and improved environmental sanitation remains the most sustainable solution to Accra’s recurring flooding and the destruction of lives and property during periods of heavy rainfall.
Story by Stephen Owusu Mintah
