The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa is advocating for a collaborative approach in addressing land governance challenges and managing floods and disasters in Ghana

Many parts of the country, including Ashanti Region’s capital, Kumasi, have over the years been inundated with floods, destroying several homes and properties while many lives were lost.

The network of experts in settlement policies and studies observed a multi-faceted cause of floods and disasters, citing conflicting legislations, growing population, political and traditional influence over the sale of lands - leading to Gentrification.

Recent research by the Centre for Settlement Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) unveiled how wetlands within the Greater Kumasi metropolis are under siege bringing about the floods.

Wetlands originally reserved to aid in alleviating flood situations are now being taken over by private developers and settlers.

The situation poses threats to the wetlands of the region, especially Kumasi, once regarded as the Garden City of West Africa.

The greenery at such locations is gradually depleting with increasing population and urbanization.

Prof Joseph Kidido of the Department of Land Economy, KNUST, highlighted the impact of the situation on flooding.

“The affected persons lose their incomes and their homes. While the elites or private developers get the money, the impacts of the floods are felt by them and the poor,” he said.

The study investigated the causes and impacts of floods on seven flood-prone communities in the city, namely, Deduako, Asabee, Tuba, Breman East, Ahinsan Kuwait, Kwadaso East, and Aduampong.

The study also explored the impacts of floods in Kumasi and its implications on women.

Prof Sylvana Rudith King, who is with the Centre of Settlement Studies at the KNUST, explained the impact of the flood is largely felt by women than men.

She indicated that women usually have a firsthand experience of the floods as they tend to cater for the homes.

“These challenges are overwhelming for the women more than the men. The men are usually working outside home. The women are rather confronted with the realities of what the floods can do to them. They are always in the home to take care of the domestic chores,” she said.

An over 50-page book has been launched highlighting the multiple contributory factors of flooding, its impacts, and ways to be adopted to curtail water from inundating homes, including a review of land policies.

The book launch and workshop on Flood Lands Development and Disaster Management brought together stakeholders, including policymakers, traditional authorities and the academic to dialogue on ways to reduce flooding in the region and in Ghana.

The project is in collaboration with the German government on improving land governance on the African continent and also towards the African Union land governance agenda.

The project commenced in 2018 following a Memorandum of Understanding between the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the German government.

The KNUST worked with other African universities on the project, including the University of Liberia, University of the Gambia, Federal University of Technology and Obafemi Awolowo University – both in Nigeria.

Advisor for the NELGA project at the KNUST, Dr Patrick Opoku wants more resource investment into the operations of state institutions overseeing the flood and disaster preventions and management.

“NADMO needs equipment to operate. Communities that are building in waterways need to revise their notes. We cannot continue to build in areas that we don’t permit. Planners must intervene to prevent people from building in places they’re not supposed to,” he said.

He admonished stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the key findings from the research conducted.

“We expect that whatever recommendations from the research we give, the stakeholders go back to their districts and improve their development plans,” he added.