Engineering expert Dr Evans Sarfo Adu has called on President John Dramani Mahama to appoint an Environmental Czar to spearhead a coordinated national response to right-of-way encroachment, permitting challenges and environmental degradation across the country.

According to Dr Sarfo Adu, persistent weaknesses in the enforcement of planning regulations, coupled with indiscriminate construction, encroachment on waterways and road reservations, illegal developments and poor waste management, have significantly contributed to flooding, erosion and other environmental challenges, particularly in Accra and other rapidly expanding urban centres.

He said many of these problems were avoidable and stemmed from years of inadequate planning and inconsistent enforcement of existing laws.

Dr Sarfo Adu noted that Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, left behind a comprehensive development blueprint for Accra and Tema, which identified transportation corridors, drainage systems, green spaces, industrial zones and residential areas.

He urged the government to revisit the original master plan and use it as the foundation for contemporary urban planning, rather than allowing unplanned settlements and unauthorised developments to undermine decades of strategic planning.

"The effects of environmental degradation did not occur overnight. They are the result of years of neglect, weak enforcement and poor land-use management. If we continue on this path, future generations will pay an even heavier price," he posted on his Facebook.

Dr Sarfo Adu also observed that Ghana's laws empower the state to acquire land in the public interest through the principle of eminent domain, arguing that this authority should be used where necessary to reclaim waterways, drainage channels, road reservations and other protected public spaces occupied by unauthorised structures.

As part of his proposals, he called for the appointment of an Environmental Czar with the mandate to coordinate the work of institutions responsible for environmental management, physical planning, roads, water resources and local governance.

He said such a role would improve inter-agency coordination, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and strengthen accountability in environmental governance.

The engineering expert further recommended a nationwide audit of developments situated within road reservations, waterways and flood-prone areas, followed by the strict enforcement of planning regulations without political interference.

He also advocated the digitisation and integration of Ghana's permitting systems to enhance transparency, curb corruption and prevent unauthorised developments before they occur.

In addition, Dr Sarfo Adu called for increased investment in modern drainage infrastructure, routine desilting of drains and rivers, the restoration of wetlands and green belts, and stronger protection for environmentally sensitive areas.

He said these measures should be complemented by sustained public education campaigns to promote responsible waste disposal and environmental stewardship.

Dr Sarfo Adu also proposed the establishment of a multi-agency engineering and environmental advisory committee to provide technical guidance on major infrastructure and land-use decisions, ensuring that development is informed by sound engineering and scientific principles rather than short-term political considerations.

He stressed that addressing Ghana's environmental challenges would require decisive leadership, long-term planning and consistent enforcement of the law.

Expressing confidence in the country's ability to reverse the current trend, Dr Sarfo Adu urged President Mahama to champion a new era of environmental governance by appointing an Environmental Czar and implementing reforms aimed at protecting lives, preserving the environment and promoting sustainable national development.