Outdated drainage systems expose cities to flooding, says engineering body

Ghana's cities face escalating flood risks due to outdated drainage systems unable to cope with rapid urbanization and climate change, according to the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE). The institution warns that conventional, centralized systems are fundamentally weak and require comprehensive policy reforms.

Recurring floods in Accra and other urban centers highlight the inadequacy of current infrastructure. GhIE notes that urbanization, widespread paving, and poor waste management have reduced natural infiltration areas. Flooding incidents have become more frequent and severe, occurring even with low rainfall, indicating deeper systemic issues beyond climate variability.

Many drains are choked with solid waste, compromising their capacity. The institution also points to institutional fragmentation, with responsibilities spread across multiple agencies and administrative boundaries misaligned with natural drainage basins, hindering coordinated planning.

GhIE advocates for a shift to decentralized, nature-based stormwater management. Proposed solutions include permeable pavements, bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting. They also call for new national policies on post-development runoff control and rainwater harvesting, stricter land use enforcement, protection of waterways, and catchment-based planning.

Implementing these measures, GhIE suggests, could significantly reduce flood frequency and severity, improve water quality, lower infrastructure costs, create green jobs, and enhance climate resilience. The institution emphasizes the need for a national strategy to address these persistent urban challenges.