Flooding: Land tenure system in Ghana has issues - Dr Khalid

Professor Sharif Mahmud Khalid is the Economic Adviser to the Vice-President. He believes Accra's flooding issues stem from problems in Ghana’s land-tenure system. Fragmented ownership and weak regulations lead to unplanned development in flood-prone areas.

On JoyNews’ *Newsfile* on Saturday, May 24, Dr. Khalid warned that drainage projects alone won't solve the problem. He emphasized the need to address structural defects in land management.

He explained that overlapping customary interests and statutory leases make enforcing zoning laws difficult. When family heads can grant floodplain land to developers, it undermines state power to protect watercourses.

Dr. Khalid called for a comprehensive review of land-title registration and planning laws. His comments followed confirmation from NADMO about five deaths due to heavy rain on May 18.

NADMO’s Director of Inspectorate, Richard Amo Yartey, reported three fatalities in Ga East Municipality and two in Adenta. He noted that inadequate drainage and uncontrolled urban growth hinder flood control efforts.

Dr. Khalid linked these deaths to failures in land use. He stated that temporary engineering solutions would only provide minimal relief unless tenure reform is addressed directly.

He urged for a land system prioritizing collective safety over individual profits. Dr. Khalid called on Parliament to expedite amendments to the Land Act and empower local assemblies to enforce building codes.