The Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Dennis Nartey Ajannor, has cited indiscriminate waste disposal into drains as a key driver of flooding in parts of Accra during heavy rains. He noted that many residents continue to dump refuse into drainage systems, obstructing water flow and causing culverts to overflow whenever it rains.
“One important thing we have identified is the rubbish people throw into drains whenever it rains. It chokes most of the culverts downstream, leading to flooding and water finding its way into people’s homes,” Mr. Ajannor explained in an interview on Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, May 26.
His remarks come as NADMO has activated emergency operation centres nationwide in response to recent downpours that submerged homes and damaged property in Accra. The activation is intended to strengthen coordination of rescue and relief operations, with response teams placed on standby in flood‑prone communities as the rainy season intensifies.
NADMO officials say the decentralised system allows rapid deployment of emergency teams once reports of flooding are received. They also note that the teams are equipped to support evacuations and help pump water out of affected homes where necessary.
Mr. Ajannor described the situation as largely an attitudinal problem and called on the media to support public education efforts to address it. He noted that despite ongoing flooding challenges in some communities, NADMO had already put in place strong preparedness measures for the rainy season.
“This is an attitudinal issue, and we also want to admonish the media to assist us in this direction. In terms of preparedness, this year we had prepared very well. When I say we prepared very well, it means all measures and systems that we have put in place to reduce flood impact before, during and after, we have done it,” he added.
Source: Abigail Arthur
