Committee Sounds Alarm: Political Division Could Worsen Accra’s Flooding Crisis
Accra’s perennial flooding nightmare has once again come under the spotlight, with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development issuing a strong call for urgent collaboration between Parliament and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to tackle the growing menace.
The Committee warned that without a united front, the capital could continue to suffer devastating floods that destroy homes, claim lives and cripple economic activities whenever heavy rains strike.
Speaking during engagements with local authorities, members of the Committee stressed that flooding in Accra has reached alarming levels and can no longer be addressed through fragmented efforts. They emphasized that lawmakers and local assemblies must work hand in hand to formulate and implement practical, long-term solutions.
According to the Committee, poor drainage systems, uncontrolled construction on waterways, inadequate waste management and weak enforcement of planning regulations have combined to make Accra increasingly vulnerable to floods.
The lawmakers noted that while assemblies play a frontline role in managing local infrastructure and sanitation, Parliament has the responsibility to provide the legislative backing, funding and policy direction needed to support effective interventions.
“The flooding challenge cannot be solved by one institution alone,” members of the Committee stressed. “There must be stronger coordination between Parliament and local assemblies if we are to protect lives and property.”
The Committee further urged authorities to intensify public education campaigns, enforce building regulations without fear or favour and accelerate drainage improvement projects across flood-prone communities.
Residents in many parts of Accra continue to live in fear during the rainy season, with memories of past flood disasters still fresh. Experts have repeatedly warned that climate change, rapid urbanization and poor planning could worsen the situation if decisive action is not taken.
As concerns grow over the city’s preparedness for future storms, the Committee’s intervention is being viewed as a crucial wake-up call for all stakeholders.
With thousands of residents at risk and billions of cedis in property exposed to potential destruction, pressure is mounting on both Parliament and local assemblies to move beyond promises and deliver concrete action before the next major downpour strikes.
For many residents, the message is clear: the time for blame games is over—Accra needs urgent solutions before the floods return.
