Ghana’s flooding crisis is a planning and enforcement failure, not just rain – Amanda Clinton

Legal practitioner and political analyst Amanda Akuokor Clinton has criticized Ghana's flooding issues. She blames poor urban planning and weak regulatory enforcement, not the rains.

Clinton spoke on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, May 24. She argued that Ghana does not have a traditional flooding problem.

“We don’t necessarily have a flooding problem in Ghana,” she stated. “We have a planning and enforcement problem. We need boldness to prevent it.”

Her comments follow recent deadly floods in Accra and other urban areas. Clinton emphasized that this crisis is ongoing due to systemic negligence.

“If we can’t manage our drainage, we won’t handle our future,” she said. “It’s about planning, enforcement, and the courage to act.”

Clinton mentioned the $150 million GARID project loan for 2024. This funding aims to improve drainage systems and waste management. However, she noted that the same areas still face recurring issues.

“Year after year, it’s the same problems,” she remarked. “Other parts of the world experience more flooding without loss of life. This shows it’s not just a disaster issue—it’s a failure in system design.”

She described the situation as a “national embarrassment.” Basic rainstorms should not lead to death and destruction.

“It’s sanitation, waste, and drainage,” she concluded. “Once we tackle these issues, we could even conquer the world.”