The Government of Ghana has announced plans to clear and reclaim six wetlands in the Greater Accra Region as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the recurring flooding that continues to affect the capital during the rainy season.
The decision follows the devastating floods that recently swept across several communities in Accra, claiming lives, displacing families, destroying homes and businesses, and causing millions of cedis in property damage.
Officials say investigations conducted after the disaster revealed that extensive encroachment on wetlands and waterways has significantly reduced the city’s natural drainage capacity. Buildings constructed in protected ecological zones, illegal land reclamation, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse have all contributed to worsening flood conditions.
According to government sources, the identified wetlands will be restored to their original ecological functions to improve water retention and allow stormwater to flow more freely during periods of heavy rainfall.
Authorities have indicated that structures illegally occupying these wetlands will be demolished in accordance with existing environmental and planning laws. Residents and property owners in affected areas are expected to receive official notices before the exercise begins.
Environmental experts have welcomed the decision, noting that wetlands act as natural flood buffers by absorbing excess rainwater and slowing runoff into rivers and drainage systems. Restoring these ecosystems, they argue, will play a critical role in reducing the severity of future floods.
The Ministry of Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NADMO, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are expected to collaborate on the implementation of the exercise.
Government has also reiterated its commitment to enforcing planning regulations, expanding drainage infrastructure, and intensifying public education on proper waste disposal as part of broader efforts to build a more flood-resilient Accra.
Officials have appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities, stressing that protecting wetlands is essential for safeguarding lives, property, and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s capital city.
