The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has blamed indiscriminate plastic waste disposal and the construction of buildings on waterways for worsening flooding in Accra despite recurring heavy rainfall.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Western Regional Coordinating Council as part of a visit to Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, Prof. Klutse said flooding is driven by three key factors: intense rainfall, blocked waterways caused by illegal developments, and plastics and styrofoam clogging drainage systems.

"The heavy rain is one of them. We also see that the pathways for water to flow into major rivers and wetlands are blocked because people have built on waterways. Another difficulty we have is the styrofoam, plastics, and other waste materials dumped into flowing waters that are supposed to drain into the sea. These choke the pathways and prevent water from flowing freely," she said.

She noted that while rainfall cannot be controlled, authorities and the public can reduce flood risks by keeping drains free of waste and preventing activities that obstruct natural water channels.

Prof. Klutse announced that the EPA, with the backing of President John Dramani Mahama, will continue enforcing the ban on styrofoam while engaging stakeholders on plans to phase out single-use plastics nationwide.

According to her, sustained enforcement and public cooperation could substantially reduce flooding in Accra and other major cities.

"If we agree on the ban and Ghanaians cooperate with us, by May, June, and July next year, we believe we will not see flooding in our waterways and major cities as we do today," she stated.