Flooding in parts of Accra has renewed calls for stronger urban planning and stricter enforcement of building regulations across Ghana.
The Northern Sector Chairman of the Institution of Engineering and Technology Ghana and Head of Estates Development at St. John Bosco Training College in Navrongo, John Amoah, said the situation should be viewed as a national warning rather than a localized disaster.
Speaking on Bolga FM’s Tingmaalgo Sanga programme, Amoah said the flooding underscores the need for improved physical planning, stronger engineering oversight, and strict adherence to development control regulations by all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
He said the recent events in Accra should prompt action in other regions, including the northern part of the country, where rapid urban growth and weak enforcement of planning schemes continue to pose risks.
Amoah called for closer collaboration among professionals in the built environment, including planners, engineers, architects, and surveyors, to ensure land use and infrastructure development follow approved schemes and technical standards.
He said many flooding challenges stem from construction on waterways, poor drainage systems, unregulated developments, and weak enforcement of planning laws.
According to him, these risks can be reduced if authorities ensure proper guidance for land acquisition and require all developments to obtain the necessary approvals before construction begins.
He stressed that Ghana’s growing urban centres must prioritize sustainable planning to prevent recurring flooding and protect lives and property.
The flooding in Accra, he said, should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to strengthen regulatory compliance and build more resilient cities capable of withstanding future environmental challenges.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Joseph Napoleon Anaaya | Bolgatanga
