Ghana's cities are adding more tall buildings, but are the invisible systems below ground prepared? Experts from IoD UK and the Ghana Institution of Engineering raise alarms about neglected sewage, drainage, and water infrastructure, warning of future crises. Learn why this is a critical issue.
Ghana is building more tall buildings. These towers are signs of modernization across its cities. However, these visible signs of progress hide a significant problem. Vital underground systems are not growing to match the new construction.
Professor Douglas Boateng, a governance and industrialisation strategist, highlights this issue. He states that Africa, including Ghana, is urbanising quickly. By 2050, almost 60 per cent of Africans will live in cities. Yet, investment in infrastructure is not keeping up. Sewage systems designed for smaller populations are now overloaded. Stormwater drains are struggling. Water systems face more demand. Adding new, dense buildings stresses these old systems further. This creates risks that are not immediately visible.
This trend reflects a larger confusion. Many see construction as development. But true urban development needs strong, resilient systems beneath the buildings. A tall building needs more than just a foundation. It needs robust sewage lines. It needs reliable drainage. It needs adequate water supply. Without these, progress is not sustainable. Professor Boateng warns that building upwards without strengthening underground support transfers problems to the future. This is a common pattern in many African cities, leading to issues like increased flooding.
Cities often celebrate new skyscrapers. But they fail to invest in less glamorous but essential services. These include sewage management and drainage networks. Wastewater treatment plants are also often neglected. These invisible systems are crucial. They determine if a city functions well. They prevent recurring crises. According to the United Nations, Africa is urbanizing faster than any other region. Ghana's urban population is growing rapidly. However, infrastructure investment has not kept pace. Many systems were built decades ago for much smaller populations. Informal changes to drainage worsen flooding risks. High-density developments add pressure to already weak systems.
This focus on visible construction over essential infrastructure is a major concern. It means that urban growth is outrunning planning. Environmental rules are also not always enforced strictly. Wetlands that used to absorb rain are paved over. Natural rivers are narrowed. This leads to more frequent flooding. Cities, including Accra, often face such challenges. Flooding is sometimes called a natural disaster. But experts like Professor Boateng argue it is a result of poor planning. It shows the failure to prioritize underground systems when building higher.
The implications of this neglect are stark. Ghana risks facing more frequent and severe urban crises. These could include water shortages, widespread flooding, and sanitation issues. These problems will impact citizens' health and well-being. They will also harm the economy. Businesses rely on stable infrastructure. Investors may be deterred by unaddressed risks. The government and city planners must shift their focus. They need to invest in upgrading and expanding these critical underground systems. Ignoring them will lead to costly problems down the line. This requires a long-term vision. It also demands prioritizing essential services over flashy construction projects.