Accra's infrastructure development trajectory over the past 30 years has been fundamentally flawed. This is the strong warning from Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse, President of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE). He explained that the city has made the wrong choices in its infrastructure planning. This has worsened the impact of recent flooding after heavy rains on June 4, 2026.
Key areas meant to hold water in the capital have been greatly harmed. Uncontrolled building projects have moved into natural waterways and drainage paths. "For the past 30 or 40 years, we have done things the wrong way," Ing. Hesse stated. "We have filled all the water-retention areas and low-lying lands. We have built in places where development should never have occurred." Water that once took about 12 hours to travel from Aburi to Accra now takes only an hour. The natural systems that slowed water movement have been destroyed.
These planning mistakes are making Accra more vulnerable to floods. "All the water-retention areas in Accra have been compromised," Ing. Hesse noted. "We have brought this situation upon ourselves." He stressed that continuing to ignore stricter enforcement of planning rules will not solve the problem. Restoring proper water systems is essential. Without these changes, urban flooding will remain a major challenge for Ghana. This is especially true for fast-growing cities like Accra.
This situation highlights a long-standing issue of urban planning and environmental management in Ghana. Previous flooding incidents have caused significant economic losses. The destruction of properties often runs into millions of Ghana cedis. Even before the peak of the rainy season, Greater Accra has experienced numerous flood events with very little rainfall this year. Experts are urging authorities to take immediate action to prevent larger future disasters.
The GhIE is preparing recommendations to address the recurring Accra floods. The institution believes that a return to sound engineering principles and strict adherence to planning laws is paramount. "We do not need a prophet anymore," Ing. Hesse concluded, underscoring the obvious causes of the perennial flooding. The government faces pressure to implement sustainable urban development plans and enforce existing regulations rigorously. Future infrastructure investments must prioritize flood resilience and environmental protection.