Ghana’s floods provide valuable lessons for future flood disaster planning
Increased flooding across Africa has become a major concern, since these floods are devastating livelihoods, properties, and infrastructure. There are suggestions that If the current situation is allowed to continue unabated, then it will likely worsen food insecurity, household poverty, and the spread of waterborne diseases too.
In 2021 alone, flooding caused an estimated 4,393 deaths and about US$ 137.7 billion in direct economic losses. Such economic damage could have dire consequences, particularly for countries which are struggling to meet their economic and infrastructural needs.
The devastation is getting worse
In Ghana, flooding is a perennial event in both rural and urban areas. In recent years, the level of associated destruction has increased, prompting serious attention from both government and relief organizations. In June 2015, for example, torrential rainfall in Accra killed more than 200 people and displaced several thousand more.
In northern Ghana, the annual spillage of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso is a major cause of flooding, affecting communities along the shores of the White Volta River. In August 2018, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) reported that the dam's spillage had caused floods, which impacted 23 communities - about 31,903 people - in the Bawku and Talensi Districts. Experts say these recurring floods are wreaking havoc on arable land. Flood incidences also pose threat food security and worsen the country's poverty.
In September 2023, the Volta River Authority (VRA) spilled water from the Akosombo dam, causing Ghana to experience one of its most devastating recent floods. The incident displaced about 35,857 people and caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure. The most affected areas were the Volta River's downstream communities in the North Tongu, Central Tongu, and Ada Districts. Relief was provided to the affected communities, but the extent of devastation meant that the region required significant support with the post-disaster recovery.
The cause is a complex challenge
The causes of Ghana's floods are complex, ranging from increased rain through to human causes. While the former links to climate change, the latter also play a significant role. Human factors have caused poor urban planning, inadequate early warning systems, a lack of environmental infrastructure, and weak enforcement of development control laws and regulations.
Given the rapid pace of urbanization and the resulting changes in land use - such as urban sprawl, gentrification, and redevelopments - one might have expected a corresponding increase in infrastructural development. This would ideally have involved the construction of new drains, the desilting of existing drains, and stricter enforcement of development controls. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. In many urban areas, rapid development occurs on ecologically sensitive lands, including wetlands. This problem has been exacerbated by poor waste management and the indiscriminate dumping of waste into drains.
Besides these infrastructural deficits, however, significant gaps exist in the communication of impending flood hazards and in the provision of support to help residents prepare. The recent spillage of the Akosombo Dam is a prime example. The VRA failed to provide timely warnings about the flood risks or to assist residents with preventive measures, such as the evacuation of residents before the flooding occurred.
In general, Ghana's early warning systems are often slow. Disaster preparedness and response is ineffective.
The way forward
We highlight four areas that require focused policy attention to make Ghana's flood responses more timely, appropriate, and effective: early warning systems, institutional capacities, involvement of non-state actors, and post-recovery plans.
Early warning systems
A well-functioning early warning system is essential for flood preparedness and mitigation. Effective communication is a critical aspect of such a system. The question, however, is not just the risk information itself, but also how the information is delivered and which channels it goes through. Local community structures are vital information channels to ensure that people receive accurate and timely updates on flood risks. These warnings must be communicated early enough so that communities have time to prepare appropriately. The Key community stakeholders can help to deliver accurate and timely information.
Institutional capacities
Strengthening institutional capacity will help to improve responses to flood risk and disasters. Regular training programmes should be provided for personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and related agencies. Disaster risk reduction can include mapping flood-prone areas, identifying safe havens, conducting rescue drills, and improving general disaster response skills. Stronger collaboration between institutions is also required, including regular information sharing and the harmonization of sectoral plans. Financial support from the central government will improve the activities of state agencies in flood mitigation.
Non-state actors
Non-state actors - CBOs, NGOs, and the private sector - have vital roles to play in disaster management and governance. Limited resources often prevent state agencies from managing flood disasters adequately. However, non-state actors can collaborate with government agencies to provide additional resources. In the case of the Akosombo Dam spillage, media coverage increased awareness of the situation and attracted new support from non-state actors. It significantly helped with the recovery in some affected communities.
Post-recovery plans
Finally, since climate change and extreme weather events are long-term challenges, which will not go away any time soon, effective post-recovery plans are vital. Building community resilience will help to ensure a fast recovery. Related measures include psychological support, health screenings and service, livelihood support programmes, fair distribution of relief aid, and the provision of temporary relief structures. More importantly, post-flood recovery efforts should be well-planned and coordinated to ensure the effective delivery of assistance.
All contributors are from the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya, Ghana. They are also members of the Policy and Advocacy Committee of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, UESD Branch.
Dr. Louis Kusi Frimpong is a lecturer at the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (Somanya, Ghana). I hold a PhD in Geography and Resource Development from the University of Ghana. My research focuses on multiple aspects of urbanity and urban sustainability, community development, development planning and environment and sustainability issues in the Global South.
Dr. Rahmat Quaigrane Duker is a lecturer at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ghana, with a PhD in Oceanography and Limnology. She specializes in water quality assessment, aquatic ecotoxicology, sediment pollution, and emerging contaminants. Her work spans projects in Ghana, the Netherlands, and France, focusing on environmental risks and ecological stressors affecting human health and global change.
Dr. Evans Sakyi Boadu holds a PhD in Public Administration from the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. He is presently a lecturer at the Department of Sustainable Development and Policy, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana. His research interests include social policies, governance, monitoring and evaluation, community-based development, and children and youth studies.
Dr. Ama Mbeaba Keelson Quarshie is a lecturer at the Department of Environment and Public Health of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya. I have interest in training, teaching and research in areas such as solid waste management and recycling, environmental/occupational health, climate change, renewable energy, circular economy, environmental education and community engagement.
Dr. Felicia Annin is a Senior Lecturer, Department of General Studies, and Ag. Head of Research, Innovation and Consultancy Unit, University of Environment and Sustainable-Development (UESD), Ghana. She holds a PhD. English, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town (South Africa); She has conducted research in literary studies on African literature, Ghanaian culture, and gender studies.