Since time immemorial, the people of Accra and its environs have constantly grappled with perennial flooding. Despite various interventions by national and local governments now and in the past, the situation persists to this day, exacting a heavy toll on livelihoods and property.
Flooding in Ghana is a topic that has been very extensively written about this rainy season, but bear with me. As an agro-commodities trader, I need the rains, but it’s August ending and it’s still raining. We cannot start even start trading Shea Nut because the moisture content requirements keeps getting our schedule thrown off with the rains and the clouds and the humidity it brings with it.
How do you dry tens of millions of kilos of an easily damped nut when it’s always cloudy, humid and/or rainy???
I vent. So I did some reading. Now I’m doing some writing. One other harsh effect of this sustained raining, aside from throwing off my Shea Nut Season, is Flooding. But why?
The effects of climate change on the flooding in Accra
Climate change is a global problem that is already having an impact on the environment and society. In Ghana, climate change is causing more extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts. These extreme weather conditions are affecting the lives of people in Accra, the capital city of Ghana.
The effects of climate change on the flooding in Accra are evident. The most evident one occurred in June 2015, when heavy rains caused severe flooding in many parts of the city.
The floods affected over 200,000 people and caused widespread damage to property and infrastructure. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of floods in Accra. (Abeka et al., 2019)
Several factors contribute to the flooding in Accra. The city is built on a low-lying coastal plain, which makes it susceptible to flooding from heavy rains and rising sea levels.
Climate change is also causing other problems in Accra, such as water shortage and food insecurity. The city’s population is growing rapidly, putting strain on the arguably limited resources. This will likely worsen in the future as climate change continues to impact the city.
The effects of climate change are evident with this increased frequency and severity of rains and of floods. This is likely to continue in the future, with devastating consequences for the people who live in the city.
Poor city planning and urbanisation as the main causes of flooding
Climate change is not the only factor that is causing floods in Accra. Poor city planning and urbanisation are also major contributors to the problem.
The city of Accra is growing rapidly, with the population expected to double by 2030. This rapid growth is putting a strain on the city’s infrastructure and resources.
The city’s infrastructure and drainage system also cannot cope with the increasing frequency and severity of floods. For example, the Accra drains cannot handle the large volumes of water that are now being released during storms. As a result, floods are becoming more common.
In addition, the way the city has been developed contributes to the problem. Many of the city’s buildings have been constructed without adequate drainage systems. Water can quickly build up around these buildings during storms, leading to flooding. (Amoako & Frimpong Boamah, 2014)
The effects of climate change are making the problem of flooding worse but if the issues of poor city planning and urbanisation are not addressed, the city of Accra will continue to be at risk of flooding.
The lack of maintenance culture among residents and authorities is another key factor.
Another factor contributing to the flooding in Accra is the lack of maintenance culture among residents and authorities.
The city’s drainage system is not properly maintained, which means it cannot cope with the increased volume of water released during storms. As a result, floods are becoming more common.
In addition, many of the city’s buildings are in disrepair. This means that they cannot stand the heavy rains and flooding that happen more frequently. The lack of maintenance also makes it difficult for the city to recover from floods.
Deforestation and sand mining as the root causes of the floods
Deforestation and sand mining are two main activities that have been cited as the root causes of the floods that hit the city of Accra in June 2015. (Saviour, 2012)
These activities have led to a loss of vegetation cover and a decrease in the material available to act as a buffer against flooding. The city’s drainage system has become more vulnerable to flooding, leading to the disaster that occurred in June 2015.
The city of Accra is located in Ghana, on the Gulf of Guinea. It is the country’s capital and most populous city, with an estimated population of 4.6 million in 2019.
The June 2015 floods in Accra were caused by a heavy downpour that lasted several hours. The rains led to the city’s drainage system overflowing, which caused widespread flooding. (Clark, 1987)
In the wake of the floods, an investigation was launched to determine the root causes of the disaster. Deforestation and sand mining were identified as two of the main contributing factors.
Deforestation has led to a loss of vegetation cover in the city, which has, in turn, led to an increase in surface runoff during heavy rains. This has made it more difficult for the city’s drainage system to cope with large volumes of water, leading to flooding.
Sand mining has also been identified as a contributing factor to floods. Sand mining involves the removal of sand from river beds, beaches, and other areas for construction purposes.
The removal of sand from river beds and other areas has decreased the amount of material available to act as a buffer against flooding. This has made the city’s drainage system more vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains.
Conclusion
Every year, the people of Accra are met with the devastating reality of flooding. The main causes of this perennial problem have been identified, and solutions proposed, but to no avail. Several factors contribute to the annual flooding in Accra.
Poor urban planning and drainage systems, inadequate waste management, deforestation, and climate change all play a role.
There is no one silver bullet solution to the problem of flooding in Accra. However, a combination of measures can be taken to mitigate its effects. These include better urban planning, improved drainage systems, reforestation, and education on climate change mitigation measures.
I hope you enjoyed the read. Hit me up and let’s keep the conversation going! I read all the feedback you send. Also, feel free to throw at me topics you’d like to read or hear my thoughts on. You can always head to my Calendly at calendly.com/maxwellampong, or connect with me your own way through my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/themax.
Have a blessed week!
References
Abeka, E., Asante, F., Laube, W., & Codjoe, S. (2019). Contested causes of flooding in poor urban areas in Accra, Ghana: an actor-oriented perspective. Environment, Development And Sustainability, 22(4), 3033-3049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-019-00333-4
Amoako, C., & Frimpong Boamah, E. (2014). The three-dimensional causes of flooding in Accra, Ghana. International Journal Of Urban Sustainable Development, 7(1), 109-129. https://doi.org/10.1080/19463138.2014.984720
Clark, C. (1987). Deforestation and Floods. Environmental Conservation, 14(1), 67-69. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0376892900011127
Saviour, M. (2012). Soil and Sand Mining: Causes, Consequences and Management. IOSR Journal Of Pharmacy (IOSRPHR), 2(4), 01-06. https://doi.org/10.9790/3013-242016
Dr. Maxwell Ampong is an Investment Strategist with Maxwell Investments Group (MIG). MIG has a disciplined approach toward executing ESG-centric Sustainability Development Models, engages in Local & International Trade of Agricultural Commodities, and Market-Acquisition Strategies. He writes about trending and relevant economic topics and general perspective pieces.
