Cape Coast MCE announces measures to prevent future flood disasters

The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Cape Coast, Hon. George Justice Arthur, has outlined a series of measures aimed at addressing the recurring flooding challenges in the metropolis following the devastating floods that struck the area in June 2026.

According to the MCE, the disaster was triggered by a heavy rainfall that began on Friday, June 19, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m. and lasted until approximately 5:00 p.m., with intermittent rains continuing through Sunday, June 21. The prolonged downpour caused widespread flooding across several communities in the metropolis.

The hardest-hit areas included Ekon, Abura, the University of Cape Coast and its surrounding communities, Ameen Sangari, DVLA/Nokaans, Eyifua, Mpeasem, Adisadel, Nkanfoa, Asenadze, as well as other communities that had never previously experienced flooding.

The disaster resulted in the collapse of ten houses, most of which were old mud structures. Four people, including three children, lost their lives, while one person remains missing. Eight others sustained critical injuries and are receiving treatment at Ewim Polyclinic and the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. In total, 2,929 residents were displaced by the floods.

Following the incident, management of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly met to assess the situation and identified several key factors that contributed to the flooding. These included narrow drainage systems due to the absence of a comprehensive drainage master plan, the prevalence of ageing mud buildings—some estimated to be between 100 and 250 years old—illegal structures built on waterways, and the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drains and unauthorized dumping sites.

To address these challenges, the Assembly established two committees. The first committee has been tasked with identifying and assessing dilapidated structures across the metropolis, determining the number of people occupying such buildings, identifying suitable locations for their resettlement, and preparing funding proposals to support the relocation of affected residents.

The second committee will focus on identifying structures built on waterways and walkways, verifying whether such structures possess valid development permits, planning the removal of unauthorized structures that pose immediate risks, and identifying historic buildings that should be restored for tourism purposes.

The Assembly also resolved to develop a comprehensive drainage master plan for the Cape Coast Metropolis, undertake regular desilting of drains, expand existing drainage infrastructure, strengthen community participation in sanitation activities, and carry out a massive decongestion exercise across the metropolis.

Hon. George Justice Arthur also highlighted several interventions undertaken after last year's floods. These include the expansion of the storm drain at Kru Town, desilting of drains at Aquarium, Akyim, Abura, Cape Tech, Ekon and the 3rd Ridge Junction near Frimps Filling Station, demolition of unauthorized structures at Adisadel, Idan Brofoyedur, London Bridge and Amissa-Ekyir, public education on proper waste disposal and maintenance of old buildings, enforcement of sanitation by-laws, and the formation of a joint committee with the University of Cape Coast to provide technical expertise on waste management, flood control and decongestion.