On Accra Floods: My Inexpert Opinion

Most of us, if not all, are enveloped in sadness by the monumental disaster that haS struck the nation. The numerous properties that have been lost, the many sources of livelihood that have been burnt and washed away, and most importantly the valuable lives that have been lost. Hmm, may God help all the victims and family of the lost lives.

In as much as this incidence is worse than what we have experienced over the years, you and I know Accra floods are not strange occurrences in this non serious country. Who didn't know there will be floods in Accra this rainy season too?

I am not only sad, but very disappointed. Disappointed in us as people and more so in our leadership. I don't intend doing politics with this at all, let's keep NPP NDC out of this. Hearing from some leaders makes me disappointed the more. They seem to understand the issues perfectly- the major causes of the floods and the solutions. Interestingly, they give assurances every time it happens that they'll check the situation so that it does not happen anymore.

I must assert, that it is obviously a typical case of leadership failure if you know what to do to solve a problem and you do not do it though you have been given the mandate to do so. Leaders must sit up and implement sustainable community planning initiatives without fear or favour. But, do we even have pre-disaster management systems? Or we are only concerned with post disaster explanations. Did our meteorological services see and warn the public ahead of time? Or they were not aware of this torrential downpour. We are talking about our CAPITAL CITY here. Ghana MUST WORK!

I have always and will maintain that nation building is a two way affair. We have failed ourselves as well, and we should bow our heads in shame. If I'm not wrong, the government and state institutions didn't choke the gutters or build in water ways.

I am a Ghanaian, and I know that in Ghana we only act in the face of effects. The whole nation will forget about this in few weeks as if nothing ever happened. Then we come back to it again at the face of another disaster.

Moving on, proactive measures must be implemented as soon as possible. NADMO, EPA and AMA are doing such a great work, I am happy their work is reducing these preventable disasters. We are very tired of the talk! what is important is COLLECTIVE ACTION.

I think we have no time to waste. Institutions have to act as we give them our utmost cooperation. You and I must also start the change process by changing our ways. We learn about floods and its prevention from Primary to SHS and yet do little to help ourselves out. Government have to work, but we must take responsibility for ourselves.

•God Help Ghana•
I HOPE WE LEARN OUR LESSONS.
Stephen Senyo Tettegah (0240723870)
[email protected]