Ga Mantse calls for collective action, stricter enforcement to address recurring flooding in Accra

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Els: MBN360 News

The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and the Ga Traditional Council have called for a united national effort to address Accra’s recurring flooding, stressing that the perennial problem requires more than engineering solutions and must be tackled through collective responsibility, strict enforcement of planning regulations and improved environmental stewardship.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, the Ga Traditional Council expressed concern over the persistent flooding that continues to threaten lives, livelihoods and property across Accra, while commending ongoing government efforts to respond to the crisis.

The Council acknowledged the interventions being undertaken by the Government, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), metropolitan authorities and the security services to mitigate the impact of the recent floods.

The Ga Mantse extended heartfelt condolences to families and communities affected by the heavy rains, particularly traders, motorists and residents whose homes and businesses were inundated.

“The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and the Ga Traditional Council have taken careful note of the persistent challenges posed by Accra’s perennial flooding, as well as the renewed efforts by Government, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, NADMO, Metropolitan Authorities, and the Security Services to address this issue with urgency, discipline, and foresight.”

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The statement continued: “We extend our deepest sympathies to all families, traders, motorists, and communities affected by the recent rains. We also commend the dedication of public institutions, emergency responders, and citizens working tirelessly to safeguard lives and restore normalcy.”

The remarks come after torrential rainfall caused widespread flooding across parts of the Greater Accra Region, resulting in extensive damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure, while emergency agencies mounted rescue and relief operations in several affected communities.

While recognising the importance of drainage infrastructure and engineering solutions, the Ga Traditional Council argued that Accra’s flooding crisis is fundamentally a shared responsibility requiring behavioural change and stronger compliance with environmental and planning regulations.

“As custodians of the land, we emphasize that flooding in Accra is not solely an engineering challenge, but a matter that demands collective responsibility, adherence to land-use regulations, improved sanitation practices, environmental stewardship, and respect for natural waterways,” the statement said.

The Council observed that indiscriminate waste disposal, unauthorised construction on waterways and poor environmental management have continued to worsen flooding across the capital during periods of heavy rainfall.