On April 4, 2025 President John Dramani Mahama undertook an extensive inspection tour of flood-prone zones within Accra. The objective of this exercise was to acquire direct insight into the extent of encroachment on wetlands and waterways by unauthorised structures – an urgent concern, as the rainy season begins and the risk of severe flooding looms.
As part of the immediate response strategy, the President instructed the Regional Minister to liaise with the military and other security agencies to commence the demolition of all unauthorised structures obstructing natural drainage pathways. This directive is both necessary and timely, given Ghana’s painful history with flood-related disasters – most notably the tragic 2012 incident at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, where a combined flood and fire catastrophe resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives during President Mahama’s previous tenure.
Acting on this order, the Greater Accra Regional Minister led demolition exercises, in collaboration with the Regional Security Council, targeting illegal developments at Dansoman and Weija – two communities severely impacted by encroachments along the Densu Ramsar site. Similar actions have been taken at the Sakumono Ramsar site in Tema.
The Chronicle commends the President and the relevant authorities for initiating decisive action. However, while these interventions may offer short-term relief, they fall short of addressing the deeper, systemic issues at the heart of Accra’s flood vulnerability. The history of periodic demolitions followed by rapid re-encroachment suggests that a more holistic, enforceable, and enduring strategy is required.
It is regrettable that, year after year, government efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal structures on wetlands have failed to yield lasting results. This failure is largely due to a cycle of impunity – where traditional authorities and land-owning families illicitly sell protected lands, often under the cover of darkness, to unsuspecting developers.
These lands are quickly filled and built upon, only for the government to return later to demolish the structures. The true perpetrators of these transactions frequently escape accountability, while the poor and uninformed homeowners bear the brunt of the demolitions.
This unsustainable cycle of destruction and reconstruction not only endangers lives and property but also erodes public confidence in the state’s ability to enforce its own land use regulations. It is essential, therefore, for the government to go beyond symbolic gestures and implement a robust and multifaceted framework to prevent future occurrences.
First, the state must not only demolish illegal structures but also secure these vulnerable areas through the establishment of a permanent security presence to deter further encroachments. Secondly, there must be legal and administrative consequences for traditional leaders, landowners, and public officials who facilitate or overlook the illegal sale and development of wetlands.
Equally important is the need for accountability among local government leaders. Metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives who fail to act decisively against illegal developments in their jurisdictions must be sanctioned. Their complicity – whether through inaction or willful neglect – directly contributes to the persistent risk of flooding.
Moreover, we call on Parliament to enact legislation that prohibits the extension of public utilities—such as water, electricity, and road access—to unauthorized structures. Denying such services will significantly diminish the attractiveness of flood-prone and illegally acquired lands to potential developers.
We are of the view that the fight against perennial flooding in Accra and other part of the country cannot be won through periodic demolition exercises alone. It requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and enforceable policy framework that addresses the root causes of encroachment, enforces land use regulations without fear or favour, and holds all culpable parties accountable. Only then can the capital city be safeguarded from the recurring menace of devastating floods.
