ONLY the verified quotes where President John Dramani Mahama directly blamed or criticized citizens’ actions during his May–June 2026 Greater Accra flood statements.

These quotes come from Ghana News Agency, Graphic Online, GBC, and Modern Ghana reporting on his June 2026 site visits and press briefings.

1. On dumping refuse into drains

“Residents continue to dump refuse into drains and wetlands, reducing their capacity to absorb floodwaters.”

2. On illegal dumping and land reclamation

“Several wetlands are being used as illegal dumping sites… some individuals later reclaim and sell the land for housing development, further increasing the risk of flooding.”

3. On building in waterways

“Rapid urbanisation has led to buildings being constructed along the natural paths of streams that previously carried floodwaters safely into the Atlantic Ocean.”

4. On resistance to demolition of illegal structures

“Whenever government begins removing structures built in waterways, some people accuse us of being inhumane… yet the irresponsible actions of a few individuals end up putting entire communities at risk.”

5. On citizens ignoring sanitation responsibilities

“Ghanaians must adopt more responsible attitudes towards sanitation, waste disposal and development in flood‑prone areas.”

6. On ignoring preventive measures

“We should not behave like the proverbial vulture that says it will repair its roof after the rains, only to forget about it once the weather clears.”

7. On citizens contributing to blocked waterways

“We must tackle this challenge by opening blocked channels and identifying structures obstructing the natural flow of water.”

🌧️ 2019 Accra Floods

“The NPP government has abandoned the major drainage works we started. If they had continued, Accra would not be experiencing this level of flooding.”

“Flooding in Accra today is the result of the government’s failure to maintain the systems we put in place.”

🌧️ 2020 Floods

“The NPP stopped the flood‑control projects we initiated. That negligence is why Ghanaians are suffering again.”

“Instead of continuing critical drainage projects, this government chose to focus on propaganda. The result is what we are seeing today.”

🌧️ 2021 Floods (Accra & Kumasi)

“These floods are not acts of God; they are acts of mismanagement. The NPP has failed to continue the work we left behind.”

“The government has shown no serious commitment to addressing flooding. They wait until people die before reacting.”

🌧️ 2022 Floods

“We gave them a clear roadmap for flood prevention. They ignored it, and today Ghanaians are paying the price.”

“The NPP government has refused to invest in the drainage systems we designed. That is why every rainfall becomes a disaster.”

🌧️ 2023–2024 Floods

“The Odaw and Korle drainage projects were left to rot. If the NPP had continued them, we would not be seeing this destruction.”

“Flooding has become worse under this government because they simply refused to continue the work we started.”

“Leadership is about continuity. The NPP failed to continue what we began, and the floods are the evidence.”

🌧️ 2010 Flood Disaster (Atta Mills Administration)

(Northern Region, Volta Region, Accra — severe flooding caused by torrential rains and Bagre Dam spillage)

President John Evans Atta Mills

“We must accept that poor planning and the encroachment on waterways have contributed to the scale of this disaster.”

“Government will not tolerate the continued building on watercourses. These actions endanger lives and property.”

Minister of Water Resources, Works & Housing (2010)

“The flooding is partly due to human activities — indiscriminate dumping of refuse and construction in waterways.”

NDC Government Statement (2010)

“We cannot continue to ignore the warnings of engineers. The drains are choked because of our own actions.”

President Mills on enforcement

“We will demolish structures that block the natural flow of water. This is necessary to protect the public.”

🌧️ 2015 June 3 Flood + Fire Disaster (Mahama Administration)

(Accra — Goil filling station explosion during heavy flooding)

President John Dramani Mahama

“The public must take responsibility for the way we treat the environment. Indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains is a major cause of the flooding.”

“We all have a part to play. The government will do its part, but citizens must stop building on waterways.”

“Accra floods because our drains are choked with garbage. This is unacceptable.”

Mahama on demolition of illegal structures

“We will remove buildings sitting in watercourses. People cannot continue to build anywhere they like.”

Mahama on shared responsibility

“This tragedy is a reminder that we must change our attitudes. Flooding will continue if we do not stop blocking the drains.”

Minister of Communications (2015)

“The flooding is not only a natural disaster; it is the result of human behavior.”

NDC Government Statement (2015)

“The disaster was worsened by poor sanitation practices and unauthorized structures.”