Floods have ravaged many parts of the country in recent days, leaving in their wake loss of lives and property. By the last count, about ten people have lost their lives as about three days of torrential rains in certain parts caused drains and rivers to overflow their banks, and in the process drowning these unfortunate souls.
Flooding in most parts of the country, in urban settings, have become perennial and an annual ritual during the rainy seasons in the southern and northern belts of the country.
Poor spatial development and indiscriminate dumping of refuse are to blame for this challenge. We cannot do without nature like climate change, but again some of these adjustments are man-made that can be avoided.
There cannot be heavy rains without floods anywhere in the world, but the difference is that in the so-called advanced countries, the problem is better managed.
Our pain is that some of our compatriots have put on structures on water courses, thereby obstructing the free flow of water anytime it rains.
Some unscrupulous people and developers have conspired with statutory bodies like the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) to encroach on lands that are reserved for the public good.
In most of these communities, where these structures are springing up, can be seen the red paint of these agencies. It has become the fun among the people that anytime the district assemblies write those stop work orders, it is only an euphemism for continue work but see us in “chambers”.
That is not the only development setback. The government every year votes millions of cedis to desilt drains in the capital city of Accra and other places, but nothing is done to police these drains to stop residents from dumping garbage into them. We wonder also whether the onetime dreaded Factories Inspectorate still ensures that industrial plants and factories do not dump waste into the drains.
By our actions and inactions the Odaw River has lost its aquatic life, as the Odaw has become the dump site for communities along it. The spectacle of Odaw and most part of Accra after every heavy rain is very ugly and not pleasing to those who value personal hygiene.
It is also time for the government to build bigger storm drains and cover all drains to prevent people from dumping into them.
While most of the causes of perennial flooding are caused by human behaviour, we are the first to point accusing fingers at the government for reneging on its obligations to fix the development challenge. And a section of the media backed by their cohorts in opposition and academia as well as civil society will blame the government for doing very little to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
Those opposed to the government have never paused on their propaganda to educate the citizens about their obligations, so that in collaboration with the state we can make strides in our development. It is not good enough to bash the government for the sake of partisan politics, for if a government takes us backward and your political party comes to power using propaganda and misinformation, there can be no progress in our country.
Development is a shared responsibility, and the citizens, political parties, academia, developers and civil society must all play their part in this journey of perennial floods that annually claim lives and property.
Although development is a continuum, all the stakeholders behave like Pontius Pilate and wash their hands during the difficult times, leaving the government in the lurch. We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and speedy recovery of other casualties.