Retired hydrological engineer and former Registrar of the Engineering Council, Ing. Wise Ametefe, has called for a complete overhaul of Ghana’s drainage system.
He attributes the recurring floods to improper waste management, encroachment on wetlands, and poor urban planning.
“We have people occupying waterways where floodwaters should naturally pass. Wetlands that should retain water are being built on, and outfalls that allow water to drain into lagoons and eventually the sea are blocked. Nature has its own way of regulating water, but human activity has disrupted this balance. That is why I am calling for a complete overhaul of our drainage system,” he explained in an interview with TV3.
His remarks follow the devastating floods of Monday, June 29, 2026, which displaced families, destroyed property, and claimed lives.
Ing. Ametefe criticized the absence of coordination between planning bodies, noting that fragmented responsibilities have worsened the crisis.
“There should be proper coordination among agencies, those handling fiscal planning and those managing water resources. Without it, we will continue to face these problems,” he said.
He highlighted that the Lower Basin is not being desilted, causing floodwaters to rebound into communities instead of flowing out.
“We desilt upstream but fail to create proper channels downstream. The water then flows back into communities, worsening the floods,” he stated.
Ing. Ametefe recommended installing sand traps along drainage channels to prevent silt and refuse from clogging lagoons.
“If you build a channel and it silts up, you are back to square one. Sand traps are essential,” he emphasized.
He expressed optimism that the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project could mitigate future disasters but lamented delays and limited implementation.
“We identified 12 retention basins along the Odaw, but only one, at Atomic Junction, has been developed because it sits on government land. The rest, on private lands, were dropped due to high costs,” he said.
Ing. Ametefe urged political leaders to demonstrate stronger will and secure funding for drainage projects, despite their expense.
“Drainage works are costly, but failing to fund them is a political failure. More resources must be made available to protect lives and property,” he said.
By Beatrice Sowah
