The May 18 floods exposed more than broken drains; they revealed a broken system. The time to act is now.

Introduction

The torrential rains that lashed Accra and other parts of Ghana on Sunday, May 18, 2025, brought more than just floodwaters, they exposed, yet again, the deep cracks in our urban infrastructure and the dangerous cost of civic neglect.

Homes were destroyed, livelihoods disrupted, and an entire city brought to a standstill. These events must no longer be treated as seasonal inconveniences. Each downpour is a warning that we are inching toward a disaster we can no longer ignore.

Beyond the Rain: A Man-Made Crisis

Eyewitness accounts from affected communities point to a grim reality: drains choked with plastic, household waste, and debris. These weren’t just natural floods, they were the result of years of environmental mismanagement.

In Ghana today, flooding is less a natural disaster and more a man-made calamity. Until we accept this uncomfortable truth, history will continue to repeat itself.

The Urgent Need for Strategic, Sustainable Action

As a communications professional and disaster risk reduction advocate, I believe we are at a pivotal moment. Ghana must shift from reactive measures to proactive, long-term strategies. This crisis demands bold leadership, honest reflection, and united action.

I call on the Ministry of Works and Housing, MMDAs, NADMO, and all relevant stakeholders to adopt a multi-sectoral approach that includes:

Upgrading drainage systems to meet current and future urban demands.

Enforcing building codes and land-use regulations in flood-prone zones.

Investing in early warning systems and ongoing public education campaigns.

Partnering with environmentalists and urban planners to build climate-resilient cities.

Empowering local disaster volunteers to act as first responders and educators.

National Policy Realignment Needed

I urge the Government of Ghana to treat Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) as a national development priority. DRR must be central to budgeting, policy-making, and long-term planning.

Ghana cannot afford to lose more lives, property, or economic potential to predictable disasters.

Corporate Ghana: Step Up

Businesses must see disaster resilience not as charity, but as a smart investment. Through targeted CSR initiatives, they can:

• Support community clean-ups and public education,
• Fund flood mitigation infrastructure,
• Enhance local emergency preparedness.

A Collective Duty

This is not just the responsibility of the government, it is a shared national duty. From our waste disposal habits to our civic engagement, every Ghanaian has a role to play in building a resilient future.

Conclusion

Let this not be another flood that fades from memory until the next rainy season. Let this be the turning point.

With visionary leadership, civic discipline, and collective effort, we can build a Ghana that is safer, cleaner, and better prepared for tomorrow.