For almost a week now, the rains have hardly given Ghana a break. Every day, people wake up wondering whether the clouds will open up again. In many places, the rains have already left their mark — roads flooded, homes affected, businesses counting losses, and families mourning loved ones.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency says more rains are coming. But an engineer who wrote about the crisis has a blunt question: are Ghanaians doing enough to reduce the impact?
The engineer, whose piece was published on June 15, 2026, argues that flooding can't be blamed on one factor alone. Yes, the rains are heavy. But the extent of the damage often depends on what people have done — or failed to do — before the rains arrived.
Over the past few days, videos have circulated on social media showing people dumping refuse into gutters while it's raining. The videos were difficult to watch, the engineer said. We all know what happens when drains are filled with plastic waste, sand, bottles and other debris. Water can't flow freely. Drains choke, and eventually water overflows onto roads and into homes.
"Sometimes we complain about flooding without paying attention to the role some of our own actions play in creating the problem," the engineer wrote. "The truth is that no drainage system, no matter how well designed, can function properly if it's turned into a dumping site."
Then there's the issue of building on waterways. Over the years, many natural drainage channels have been obstructed. In some places, people have built close to streams and wetlands. In others, walls and structures have been erected in areas that were originally meant to carry water.
"One thing I learned early in my engineering career is that water always finds a way," the engineer wrote. "You may block its path today, but sooner or later, it will attempt to reclaim it."
When that happens, the consequences can be severe. The engineer believes flood prevention isn't only about constructing drains. It's also about respecting nature, obeying planning regulations, and taking responsibility for the environment.
At the same time, Ghana's cities are growing rapidly. Communities that were much smaller twenty years ago have expanded significantly. Population growth has increased pressure on existing infrastructure, making it necessary to continue investing in drainage systems and flood-control measures.
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC), chaired by Greater Accra Regional Minister Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, recently announced measures to address the problem. The council decided to identify flood-prone areas, intensify desilting activities, clear drains and waterways, strengthen security arrangements, and prepare emergency response mechanisms.
The engineer praised the proactive nature of those measures. Too often, authorities focus on responding after disasters occur. It's refreshing to see efforts to identify risks and address them before the situation escalates.
The engineer also commended the directive to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to intensify sanitation activities within their jurisdictions. Keeping drains clear shouldn't become an emergency exercise only when the rains arrive.
But the engineer stressed that authorities can clear drains today, and if people return tomorrow to dump refuse into them, the problem returns. That's why flood prevention is a shared responsibility.
"Government has a role to play. Local authorities have a role to play. Traditional leaders have a role to play. Engineers and planners have a role to play. But citizens also have a role to play," the engineer wrote. "We can't demand clean drains while littering our surroundings. We can't complain about flooding while blocking waterways. We can't expect different results if we continue repeating the same mistakes."
The engineer urged Ghanaians to look around their homes, streets and communities. Clear the drains where possible. Dispose of waste responsibly. Support community clean-up efforts. Be mindful of how actions affect others.
The engineer also commended NADMO, the Ghana National Fire Service, the security services, health workers, volunteers and all those working around the clock to protect lives and assist affected communities.
"The rains will continue to fall. That's beyond our control. What remains within our control is how prepared we are, how responsibly we act, and how committed we are to protecting our communities," the engineer wrote.