When The Floods Come

In June, 2015 Ghana, especially the capital city of Accra, experienced devastating floods that sent shivers down the spines of not only those affected directly, but also the authorities and members of the general public.

A GOIL filling station, near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange , which was packed with people, cars, and buses waiting to depart to their various destinations after the rain, exploded into flames, killing over 150 people and injuring several others.

The filling station was being used as a shelter from the three days of heavy rains, which flooded several other parts of the city of Accra, when the explosion occurred.

Major hospitals in Accra, especially 37 Military Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Police Hospital, were flooded with dead bodies and the several people who suffered various degrees of injuries as a result of the flooding and explosion.

Following the disastrous event, President Mahama announced plans for future flood prevention, including unblocking drainage systems and waterways, saying; “Drastic steps are necessary here, if we are to permanently address this perennial problem. We will intensify efforts to expand and modernise our drainage system.”

Indeed, there were reports that some contractors were on site de-silting the Odaw River and other drains in Accra in expectation of this year's rains.

A little over a year down the line, torrential rains have started again, and already there are reports of widespread flooding in several parts of Accra and the harbour-city of Tema.

Reports say the Odaw River has over-flowed its banks, and drainage channels including the Onyasia, Odaw, and Nima.

Areas, which were heavily affected by the floods, include the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, portions of Teshie, Airport Residential Area, Dzorwulu, Achimota, Tse Addo and Tema.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is reported to have urged the people to move to higher grounds from the flood-prone areas.

Although there has been no information about casualties in Accra, one person was reported missing in Tema, as a result of the flooding.

This is not the first time Ghana is experiencing flooding in its capital city. From time immemorial, flooding has become a perennial activity on the calendar of Mother Ghana, bringing in its wake pain, and destruction to properties and lives among others.  

Government after government had set up various investigative committees to find out the causes of the floods, and what could be done to minimise the problem, if not to stop it completely, but to no avail.

Inadequate drainage systems, frequently blocked by trash and other debris, as well as illegal building on water ways have been identified as some of the major causes of flooding in the country.

The Chronicle further believes that another major cause of flooding in the country is the attitude of the Ghanaian, when it comes to environmental cleanliness, and the ability to keep our surroundings clean.

Many people have been throwing refuse into drains, especially, when it is raining, thinking that the rains will carry them away, forgetting that is what actually blocks the water from flowing freely.

Another issue that pops up, when it comes to causes of flooding, is when after clean up exercises, whether by a group of people or individuals, the refuse collected are left on the shoulders of the gutters and abandoned.

After sometime, the refuse finds its way back into the drains and becomes a blockade.

Also to add to the causes of flooding is the small size of the drains being constructed by the authorities in recent times. Due to the small size of the drains, they easily get full and over flow their banks.

The Chronicle, therefore, wishes to urge the government or the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to embark on massive education to help the local people to understand their roles as citizens of this country.

Also, with the influx of technology, and especially the use of mobile phones, prize tags can be made available to persons who can secretly take pictures of anyone found to be throwing refuse into any drain in any part of the country and Whatsapped to the appropriate office for some reward.

Young and vibrant youth in the various communities in the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) could be put on pay roll, and charged with the responsibilities to arrest or report the conduct of members within their jurisdiction who throw refuse into drains to the authorities, just like in the days of the ‘Town Councils'.