The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, together with the Ga Traditional Council, has urged a united national response to Accra’s recurring floods, emphasising that the crisis demands more than engineering fixes. They stressed the need for collective responsibility, strict enforcement of planning regulations, and stronger environmental stewardship. In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, the Council voiced concern over the persistent flooding that continues to endanger lives, livelihoods, and property across the capital, while commending ongoing government efforts to confront the challenge.
The Council acknowledged interventions by the Government, Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, NADMO, metropolitan authorities, and the security services in mitigating the impact of 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, together with the Ga Traditional Council, has noted the persistent challenges of Accra’s perennial flooding and acknowledged renewed efforts by the Government, Greater Accra Regional Minister Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, NADMO, metropolitan authorities, and the security services to confront the crisis with urgency and discipline.
Extending heartfelt sympathies to families, traders, motorists, and communities affected by the recent rains, the Council commended the dedication of public institutions, emergency responders, and citizens working tirelessly to protect lives and restore normalcy. The remarks follow torrential rainfall that triggered widespread flooding across the Greater Accra Region, damaging homes, businesses, and public infrastructure, while emergency agencies mounted rescue and relief operations in several communities.
While recognising the importance of drainage works and engineering interventions, the Council emphasised that Accra’s flooding challenge is ultimately a shared responsibility—requiring behavioural change, strict compliance with planning regulations, and stronger environmental stewardship.
“As custodians of the land, we emphasise 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.
The traditional authorities reaffirmed their commitment to supporting practical and sustainable interventions aimed at reducing flood risks and improving environmental resilience.
According to the statement, the Council supports measures focused on protecting drainage systems, preventing unlawful developments along waterways, promoting community-led sanitation programmes and strengthening public education on environmental responsibility.
It also called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, district assemblies, traditional authorities, faith-based organisations, businesses, youth groups and residents in tackling the longstanding challenge.
The Council believes that lasting solutions can only be achieved through coordinated action involving all sectors of society.
The Ga Traditional Council further pledged to use its traditional authority and community structures to promote civic responsibility and encourage residents to play a more active role in protecting the environment.
“We further commit to leveraging our traditional authority and structures to promote behavioural change, civic responsibility, and a shared sense of duty among all stakeholders, in order to safeguard the safety, dignity, and heritage of our capital city.” The Council emphasised that traditional leadership has an important role to play in educating communities, encouraging compliance with environmental regulations and supporting government initiatives aimed at reducing flood risks.
Although acknowledging that seasonal rains are inevitable, the Ga Mantse expressed confidence that the devastating effects of flooding can be significantly reduced through stronger enforcement of planning regulations, strategic urban planning and collective discipline.
“While the rains will inevitably continue, we are confident that through unity, effective enforcement, strategic planning, and disciplined action, their impact can be mitigated, and the recurring devastation prevented,” the statement concluded.
Source: Emmanuel Tetteh
