Flooding in Ghana: Are we paying the price for policy misjudgement?
The recent flooding that has inundated Accra and other major Ghanaian cities is not merely a consequence of unusually heavy rainfall. It is a stark manifestation of systemic failures in sanitation and waste management that have been exacerbated by a controversial policy decision: the cancellation of the YEA-Zoomlion sanitation contract.
For over a decade, Zoomlion Ghana Limited had been the backbone of the country’s waste collection and drain desilting operations. Its extensive network of trucks, personnel and logistical infrastructure provided a semblance of order in managing the waste that clogs gutters and rivers during the rainy season. The company’s role went beyond mere trash pickup; it coordinated desilting operations before the rains, managed landfill sites and engaged in public education campaigns about proper waste disposal.
However, the contract was not renewed in 2025, bowing to sustained public pressure and criticism from investigative journalists like Manasseh Azure Awuni, who had long questioned the transparency and value for money of the agreement. Awuni’s investigations had highlighted alleged overbilling, questionable tender processes and instances where services did not match the payments made by the government.
The decision to cancel was celebrated by some as a victory for accountability and a step toward self-reliance. Proponents argued that the MMDAs, being closer to the communities, could manage waste more effectively and responsively. Yet, the reality on the ground has exposed the fragility of this assumption.
Many assemblies, already grappling with political interference that often diverts resources and priorities, chronic underfunding that hampers their ability to hire and retain staff, and procedural bottlenecks in procurement that delay essential purchases, are now visibly overwhelmed. In Accra, for instance, gutters that were recently desilted are already choked with plastic bags and solid waste just weeks after the exercise. Rivers like the Odaw, which runs through the city, are so clogged with debris that they overflow at the first sign of heavy rain.
Poor sanitation habits are undermining flood control efforts in Accra, as highlighted by the Greater Accra Resilient and Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project. The human cost is mounting. In the latest floods, homes in low-lying areas like Odawna and Sakumono were submerged, forcing residents to wade through knee-deep water to reach safety. Small businesses, particularly market vendors, saw their goods destroyed or damaged. Livelihoods were interrupted as roads became impassable and public transport ground to a halt. The most tragic consequence has been the loss of life, with several reported fatalities attributed to drowning or collapsing structures.
Public health officials warn that the stagnant floodwaters, mixed with sewage and waste, create a breeding ground for diseases such as cholera, typhoid and malaria. The risk is particularly high in overcrowded areas where sanitation infrastructure is already inadequate.
Yet, in the aftermath of the disaster, Zoomlion has shown a commitment to national service that transcends contractual obligations. The company, which operates in over 29 African countries, has mobilised its resources across Ghana to assist in relief efforts. Teams have been desilting gutters in the hardest-hit districts, disinfecting flood-affected areas to curb the spread of pathogens and using vacuum trucks to evacuate waste from submerged neighborhoods. These actions, undertaken as part of their corporate social responsibility, are critical in the immediate response and have been praised by local authorities and community leaders.
The assumption that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) could seamlessly take over these responsibilities has proven tragically flawed, as evidenced by the recent impact on 25 communities and 18 assemblies. This crisis should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers. The solution does not lie in ideological battles or in dismantling existing systems without a viable alternative. Instead, it demands a pragmatic reassessment of the sanitation architecture, one that prioritises accountability and effectiveness over partisan rhetoric.
The government must now engage all stakeholders — including Zoomlion, the MMDAs and civil society — to forge a stronger, more resilient national sanitation framework. Such a framework should include clear performance metrics, transparent payment systems and mechanisms for community oversight. It should also invest in upgrading the MMDAs’ capacity, not as an overnight expectation but through sustained training, funding and logistical support.
The economic toll is also significant, with estimates suggesting that the recent floods have caused millions of cedis in damage to infrastructure, disrupted agricultural output and deterred investment in flood-prone areas. Without urgent action, these costs will only escalate, further straining the nation’s resources.
Only then can Ghana hope to break the cycle of annual flooding and protect its citizens from the recurring devastation that has become all too familiar. The alternative — continuing down a path of well-intentioned but ill-planned reforms — risks turning seasonal rains into annual catastrophes.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
