We need to keep development away from certain areas to curb flooding — GARID Coordinator
The Coordinator of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Ohene Sarfoh, has stressed the need to prevent development in flood-prone and environmentally sensitive areas, arguing that stronger development control is critical to reducing the recurring flooding in Accra.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Dr. Sarfoh said authorities must place greater emphasis on preventing illegal developments rather than relying solely on demolition after the damage has already been done.
“We also have to do development control. We need to keep development away from certain areas. Perhaps there should be more emphasis on prevention than demolition,” he said.
According to him, the increasing encroachment on waterways and natural drainage channels has significantly worsened flooding in the capital, as buildings continue to obstruct the free flow of water during heavy rains.
He revealed that inspections carried out under the GARID Project have uncovered extensive interference with natural watercourses, with some developers going as far as building directly over streams.
“We have video footage that shows the extent to which people are actually not just reducing the size of the streams but actually blocking them entirely and building over them,” he disclosed.
Dr. Sarfoh explained that storm drains form part of larger river systems and therefore require adequate space to function effectively during periods of heavy rainfall.
“These storm drains are part of river systems, and therefore you need to give them their room,” he stated.
While advocating preventive measures, Dr. Sarfoh acknowledged that demolition remains necessary where illegal structures have already been erected on waterways.
“If encroachment has already occurred, we cannot say demolition has a minimal effect after the fact, so we should not do it,” he noted.
The GARID Coordinator further attributed the persistent disregard for planning regulations to political interference and weak enforcement, saying Ghana's patronage system continues to frustrate efforts by planning authorities to protect waterways.
According to him, although the country has laws governing physical planning and land development, enforcement agencies are often prevented from carrying out their duties because influential individuals intervene on behalf of offenders.
“We should get away from this patronage system where one person gets into a problem and then an uncle, a father, a mother or somebody intervenes, thereby undermining the law,” he said.
He called for closer collaboration among planning authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, and law enforcement agencies to ensure planning regulations are applied consistently and without political interference.
Dr. Sarfoh maintained that while investments in drainage infrastructure remain important, they will have limited impact unless authorities strictly enforce development controls and protect waterways from encroachment.
He said responsible urban planning and effective enforcement of existing laws are essential to minimising the impact of flooding and building a more resilient Accra.