President John Dramani Mahama has called for an end to the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage systems, saying aerial inspections of flood-hit communities revealed numerous illegal dumping sites that continue to worsen flooding in Accra.
Speaking after touring affected areas on Monday, June 29, 2026, following devastating floods, the President said human activities remain a major contributor to the perennial flooding challenge.
“Human behaviour of dumping garbage in drains needs to stop. We discovered from the air many illicit dumping sites,” he stated.
President Mahama announced a coordinated nationwide effort to remove drainage blockages and directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), in collaboration with the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, to identify and clear all obstructed drainage channels.
“We’re asking every district to identify, together with the Works and Housing Ministry, where the blockages in the channels are so that we can earmark those places for removal,” he said.
The President stressed that the exercise would not be limited to demolishing illegal structures obstructing waterways but would also involve clearing debris to ensure the free flow of water.
“We’ll not only break the houses. We have to move the rubble out of the way because there’s no use breaking a house and leaving the rubble in the waterways,” he added.
To strengthen the government’s response, President Mahama said a meeting of the National Security Council would be convened to coordinate emergency interventions and long-term flood prevention measures.
He also announced that the Minister for Finance has been directed to release funds from the Contingency Fund to support immediate relief efforts for individuals and businesses affected by the floods.
Expressing sympathy to victims, the President described the destruction caused by the floods as extensive and commended the Ghana Armed Forces, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, emergency responders and the 48 Engineers Regiment for their rescue operations, including evacuations carried out by boat.
Beyond the immediate response, President Mahama outlined plans to address congestion in Accra through the development of a new urban growth centre outside the capital as part of a 20-year development strategy.
According to him, the initiative will involve relocating key public institutions and providing roads, electricity and water infrastructure to encourage investment and reduce pressure on the capital.
He urged Ghanaians to adopt more responsible environmental practices, stressing that lasting solutions to flooding require both government action and public cooperation.
“This time should be different,” the President said, calling for sustained efforts to end Accra’s recurring flood crisis.
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