President John Dramani Mahama has attributed the severe flooding that hit parts of Accra on Monday, June 29, to a combination of unusually heavy rainfall, changing climate patterns, inadequate drainage infrastructure and human activities.
Speaking after undertaking an aerial tour of flood-affected communities in the capital, the President described the scale of the flooding as one of the worst recorded in recent years, noting that rainfall levels far exceeded previous records.
According to him, approximately 140 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in Accra within a single day, compared to a maximum of 56 millimetres typically recorded on a heavy-rain day last year.
President Mahama said rainfall data provided by the Ghana Meteorological Agency indicates a steady increase in rainfall intensity over recent years, with June rainfall totals rising from 85 millimetres in 2024 to 172 millimetres in 2025, and reaching 333 millimetres in 2026 over comparable periods.
He explained that the increasing frequency of rainy days has left drainage systems with little time to recover, thereby worsening flooding in low-lying areas of the city.
Beyond climate-related factors, the President said Accra’s geographical location and physical layout have also contributed significantly to the flooding problem.
He noted that the city lies between the Akwapim mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, with natural waterways that have increasingly been obstructed by urbanisation and unplanned development.
According to him, rapid population growth and the construction of buildings along waterways have narrowed or blocked the natural channels through which stormwater flows into the sea, creating serious drainage challenges.
President Mahama also identified human activities as a major contributor to the flooding, citing indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and the conversion of wetlands into illegal dumping sites and residential settlements.
He described reports of illegal waste disposal sites being reclaimed and later sold for construction purposes as particularly troubling, warning that such practices heighten flood risks for entire communities.
The President stressed that addressing the perennial flooding problem in Accra would require both engineering interventions and the strict enforcement of planning and environmental regulations.
He said measures such as clearing obstructed waterways and removing structures built on drainage channels were necessary, although such actions often attract public criticism.
According to President Mahama, the consequences of failing to enforce these regulations are far more devastating, as the actions of a few individuals who obstruct waterways ultimately affect the lives and livelihoods of thousands of residents.
He added that the latest flooding serves as a reminder that tackling the crisis requires collective responsibility and sustained action from both government and the public.