The Government has intensified its response to the flooding that has affected Accra, Tema and surrounding areas following days of heavy rainfall, while calling on the public to support efforts to reduce the impact of future floods.

In a press release issued on Monday, the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, said he accompanied President John Dramani Mahama and members of the Anti-Flood Task Force on a tour of flood-affected communities to assess the impact of the rainfall and review proposed remedial measures.

According to the Minister, the tour enabled the task force to validate the causes of flooding in the affected areas and evaluate the solutions being considered.

The Ministry said sustained heavy rainfall since 27 June has caused widespread flooding across Accra, Tema and neighbouring communities, affecting homes, businesses and public infrastructure, particularly in low-lying areas, while disrupting economic and social activities.

Mr Adjei expressed sympathy on behalf of the Government and the Ministry to individuals, families and communities affected by the floods. He acknowledged the disruption and economic hardship caused to households, traders, transport operators and businesses, and assured affected residents that the Government remains committed to supporting relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The statement said the latest flooding highlights the growing impact of extreme weather, rapid urbanisation and increasing pressure on drainage infrastructure. It added that while climate variability has contributed to more intense rainfall, human activities including encroachment on waterways, indiscriminate waste disposal and failure to comply with planning regulations have worsened the situation.

The Ministry stressed that addressing the recurring flooding requires a collective effort involving public institutions, local authorities, traditional leaders, businesses and the public. It said sustainable flood management depends on protecting waterways, maintaining proper sanitation and complying with land-use and environmental regulations.

As part of the emergency response, the Ministry, through the Ghana Hydrological Authority, is working with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the security services and other stakeholders to implement immediate interventions.

These include deploying emergency response teams, supporting evacuations where necessary, providing relief items to displaced persons, assessing damaged infrastructure and intensifying drainage clearance in flood-prone areas.

The Ministry also noted that in recent weeks the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the MMDAs, has carried out enforcement operations across the city to remove illegal structures and other obstructions along drainage channels, waterways, wetlands and natural water retention areas. It said these enforcement exercises would be sustained to protect waterways and preserve natural drainage systems.

In addition, the Ministry said it is taking urgent steps to undertake extensive desilting and excavation of major drains and waterways that have become blocked following the recent rains. This will be complemented by the construction of new drainage channels aligned with natural watercourses to improve the movement and discharge of stormwater.

The statement added that the Government is advancing broader measures, including the expansion and rehabilitation of drainage infrastructure, stricter enforcement of development controls in floodplains, strengthening early warning systems, and restoring wetlands, lagoons and natural water detention areas to reduce the country's flood risk.

The Ministry urged residents, particularly those living near rivers, lagoons, drains and other low-lying areas, to prioritise their safety by moving to higher ground where necessary, avoiding walking or driving through floodwaters, and keeping children away from flooded areas to prevent accidents and exposure to waterborne diseases.

Mr Adjei reaffirmed the Government's commitment to addressing both the immediate effects and underlying causes of flooding through improved drainage infrastructure, better urban planning and stricter enforcement of existing regulations.

He also appealed to the public to support the Government's efforts by refraining from dumping refuse into drains, avoiding construction on waterways and complying with environmental and planning regulations.

The Minister said collective responsibility, discipline and adherence to safety measures are essential to reducing the impact of flooding, protecting lives and livelihoods, and building more resilient communities.