Flooding kills over 500 people in six years
Ghana’s struggle with recurring flood disasters has highlighted significant gaps in the country’s infrastructure and disaster management systems. According to data compiled by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), floods killed 510 people and injured 309 others between 2015 and 2020, with 1,446 flood events recorded during the same period. Additionally, 54,744 houses were inundated, and 136,563 acres of farmland were destroyed.
A report by the Auditor-General discovered that the Hydrological Services Department (HSD) of the Ministry of Works and Housing has failed to implement the necessary drainage facilities to mitigate flooding nationwide. Between 2015 and 2019, only 12.2 kilometers of drains, representing 11% of the targeted 110 kilometers of drains, were constructed. Furthermore, none of the retention ponds targeted for 18 drainage basins had been completed.
The report attributed these failures to a lack of priority, planning, and budget allocation. Although Drainage Master Plans had been included in the Ministry’s Medium-Term Development Plans since 2013, they were not prioritised, planned, or budgeted for by the Ministry. Consequently, the Hydrological Services Department and the Ministry of Works and Housing did not maintain completed and existing drains, which impeded the smooth flow of water and reduced the effectiveness of the drainage systems in mitigating flooding.
Despite the investments made in flood protection structures, the problem of flooding persists, with the country experiencing at least one major flood disaster every year over the past ten years, resulting in the loss of lives and property. The report indicted the Hydrological Services Department for implementing measures that have largely not been effective in controlling and mitigating flooding in the country. The lack of coordinated development of drainage facilities and the failure to produce Drainage Master Plans were cited as significant contributors to the persistent flooding issue.
The Auditor-General recommended long-term and holistic planning of drainage development, with a focus on collaboration with other key agencies. The Hydrological Services Department was also advised to prioritise the development of Drainage Master Plans as a blueprint to guide key players and align drainage facilities with other civil infrastructure that creates conflicts in drainage networks. These plans would provide a framework to manage stormwater through proposed improvements to existing drainage networks and synchronise flood control drains with other civil works developed by other agencies for the efficient and effective drainage of stormwater.
The cost of neglecting Ghana’s infrastructure and disaster management systems is significant. Apart from the loss of lives and property, the country’s economy suffers due to lost productivity, damages to infrastructure, and displacement of people. The country’s GDP is expected to decrease by 0.5% due to the impact of the 2021 floods alone, according to the Ghana Statistical Service. This impact is likely to be even more significant in the long run if the issue is not addressed promptly and adequately.
Therefore, it is imperative that the Ghanaian government takes a long-term view of the country’s infrastructure development and allocates the necessary resources to prevent future disasters. This would involve not only the development of Drainage Master Plans but also adequate funding and regular maintenance of existing drainage systems. Collaborating with other key agencies and stakeholders would also be crucial in ensuring that the country’s infrastructure development is aligned and comprehensive. By doing so, Ghana can mitigate the impact of floods and other natural disasters, safeguarding the country’s economic growth and the well-being of its citizens.
