Accra: The Graduates and Professionals of Ga-Dangme (GPGD) Network has called for urgent and coordinated national action to address Ghana's recurring floods. The Network described the situation as a major challenge that requires sustained commitment from government, local authorities, communities, and the private sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, the GPGD Network expressed sympathy to families affected by the recent floods, which claimed lives, destroyed homes and businesses, and displaced many residents in parts of the country. It also commended emergency responders, security agencies, health workers, volunteers, and citizens who assisted flood victims during the emergency.
The network emphasized that recurring floods should no longer be regarded as unavoidable natural disasters but as a national development challenge requiring practical and long-term solutions. It attributed the persistent flooding to poor drainage systems, indiscriminate disposal of refuse into drains, construction on waterways, and weak enforcement of planning regulations.
The GPGD Network urged communities to revive regular communal labor and scheduled clean-up exercises, undertake periodic desilting of drains, and intensify public education on proper waste disposal. It also proposed the appointment of community drain wardens to monitor illegal dumping of refuse and promptly report blocked drains to the appropriate authorities.
Furthermore, it called on metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) to undertake routine desilting of major drains before the onset of the rainy season and enforce planning regulations to prevent development on waterways. The Network recommended establishing a public register of structures encroaching on waterways, accompanied by phased relocation or removal plans where necessary.
The statement urged the government to establish a dedicated fund for routine drainage maintenance instead of relying primarily on post-disaster relief. It also suggested digitizing the building permit system to prevent unauthorized developments on waterways and investing in early warning systems capable of sending flood alerts to residents in vulnerable communities. It encouraged the private sector and civil society organizations to support drainage maintenance through partnerships, including sponsoring drain desilting programs and providing technical expertise for assessing high-risk flood areas.
The GPGD Network noted that maintaining existing drainage infrastructure and enforcing planning regulations would be more cost-effective than relying solely on expensive long-term infrastructure projects. It appealed to all Ghanaians to support relief efforts for flood victims while working together to build safer, cleaner, and more resilient communities.