President John Dramani Mahama has warned that the reckless actions of a few individuals are endangering entire communities, following devastating floods that swept through parts of Accra after heavy rainfall on Monday.

He made the remarks after an aerial inspection of flood-affected communities, where he observed extensive damage caused by overflowing drains, blocked waterways and submerged settlements.

According to the President, preliminary data shows that about 140 millimetres of rain fell in Accra within a single day, more than double the highest single-day rainfall of about 56 millimetres recorded last year. He said the unusually high volume of rain overwhelmed the city’s drainage infrastructure.

Mr. Mahama explained that Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) data points to a rising trend in rainfall intensity. He noted that within a 30-day period in June, Accra recorded about 85 millimetres of rainfall in 2024, rising to 172 millimetres in 2025 and approximately 333 millimetres in 2026.

He said the increasing frequency of rainfall has reduced the time available for drainage systems to recover, worsening flooding in low-lying communities across the capital.

Beyond climate factors, the President highlighted Accra’s geographical layout between the Akwapim mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, noting that natural waterways have been severely obstructed by rapid urban development and unregulated construction.

He said many streams that once flowed freely into the sea are now blocked by buildings, while poor waste disposal practices have further choked drainage channels.

Mr. Mahama also revealed that aerial inspections uncovered illegal dumping sites within wetlands, where individuals collect fees from tricycle operators to dispose of waste. He warned that some of these sites are later converted into residential plots and sold to unsuspecting buyers.

"The irresponsible actions of a few individuals end up putting entire communities at risk," President Mahama stated, stressing the need for urgent enforcement of environmental and planning regulations.

He announced that the National Security Council will convene to coordinate a national response, while all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies will be directed to identify and remove structures obstructing major drainage channels.

The President emphasised that demolished structures will be fully cleared, including debris, to prevent further blockage of waterways.

He also disclosed plans for a long-term strategy to decongest Accra by relocating some government institutions outside the capital and developing a new growth centre over the next 20 years. The new city, he said, will be supported with roads, water and electricity infrastructure to ease pressure on Accra.

Mr. Mahama expressed sympathy to victims of the floods and praised the Ghana Armed Forces, NADMO, the Police Service, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, and emergency response teams for their swift rescue operations.

He further directed NADMO to provide immediate support to affected residents and instructed the Minister for Finance to release funds from the Contingency Fund for relief efforts.

The President reiterated that Ghana must adopt both engineering solutions and strict enforcement of laws to permanently address the flooding challenge in Accra, urging collective responsibility in tackling environmental abuse.