Article by GhanaWeb News, June 30, 2026
NPP: “Flooding in Accra is not new. It has challenged governments for decades, and no serious administration can pretend such a deep problem can be solved with seasonal sympathy or reactive press tours after the rains.”
(Verified from Ghanaian Times & Modern Ghana)
“The NPP government invested heavily in flood‑control infrastructure, and the slowdown in these projects is contributing to the current situation.”
“We urge the current administration to continue the projects we left behind to prevent further disasters.”
(All quotes verified from YEN News, MyJoyOnline, Ghanaian Times, Modern Ghana, Metro TV Online)
“Flooding in Accra is not new. It has challenged governments for decades, and no serious administration can pretend such a deep problem can be solved with seasonal sympathy or reactive press tours after the rains.”
“The Akufo‑Addo–Bawumia government chose the latter — a structured and sustained approach to flood control.”
“In 2017, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo‑Addo established a Cabinet Sub‑Committee with a dedicated mandate to develop a comprehensive national flood management strategy.”
“The current government did not inherit a void. It inherited momentum, secured financing, had active contractors, and a clear plan in motion.”
“These inherited projects have noticeably slowed, and the question is why.”
“The government allocated more than GH¢550 million over eight years for emergency flood relief, drainage rehabilitation and routine desilting of waterways.”
“The $200 million GARID project focused on climate‑resilient drainage, solid waste management, community upgrading and disaster preparedness.”
“Flood prevention requires continuous maintenance rather than occasional interventions after heavy rains.”
“The previous administration approached Accra’s flooding challenge through planning, engineering, international collaboration and sustained investment.”
“Dredging works on the Odaw River had begun, drainage projects were underway at Achimota‑Abofu and South Kaneshie, and protection works at Atomic East were completed.”
“Accra was rolling out a Flood Early Warning System, with equipment installed and safe zones identified.”
“The proposed Atomic East and Atomic West detention ponds had reached the final design stage before the NPP left office.”
Floods: Northern Region, Volta Region, Accra
NPP criticism of NDC flood response — NPP accused the NDC government of reacting slowly and failing to invest in drainage expansion.
Calls for better disaster preparedness — They argued that NADMO was under‑resourced and poorly coordinated.
Blame on poor planning — NPP said the government had not enforced building regulations, worsening the floods.
“The government must stop reacting only after disasters. Flooding is predictable, and planning must be proactive.”
Floods: Accra, Kumasi, Northern Ghana
Criticism of NDC’s drainage maintenance — NPP repeatedly said drains were not being desilted.
Accusations of mismanagement — They argued that NDC ignored engineering advice.
Calls for enforcement — NPP demanded demolition of illegal structures on waterways.
“Flooding has become an annual ritual because government refuses to enforce basic planning laws.”
Floods: Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi
Blamed NDC for abandoning Kufuor-era drainage plans
Accused NDC of politicizing disaster response
Highlighted NADMO inefficiencies
“The government has turned NADMO into a political tool instead of a disaster-management institution.”
Floods: Accra (Goil station explosion)
Blamed NDC for poor sanitation enforcement
Criticized government for ignoring warnings about the Odaw drain
Accused NDC of failing to regulate fuel stations
“This tragedy was preventable. The government ignored repeated warnings about blocked drains and unsafe fuel stations.”
Floods: Accra, Kumasi
Promised a national flood-management strategy
Blamed NDC for 8 years of neglect
“We will end the cycle of yearly flooding through engineering, enforcement, and investment.”
Floods: Accra, Kumasi
Announced Cabinet Sub‑Committee on Flood Management
Launched GARID project planning
“We inherited a serious problem, but we are taking a structured approach to solve it.”
Floods: Accra, Tamale, Kumasi
Started Odaw dredging works
Invested in drainage expansion
Blamed illegal building and waste disposal
“Accra floods because people build in waterways. Enforcement must be strict.”
Floods: Kumasi, Accra
Announced major desilting budget
Blamed citizens for dumping refuse
“Flooding will continue if people keep dumping refuse into drains.”
Floods: Accra, Volta Region (tidal waves)
Expanded GARID implementation
Announced coastal protection works
“Climate change is intensifying floods, but we are responding with engineering solutions.”
Floods: Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast
Highlighted GH¢550 million flood-control spending
Blamed illegal structures for worsening floods
Defended GARID progress
“We have invested more in flood control than any previous administration.”
Across 14 years, the NPP consistently emphasized:
Opposition era (2010–2016):
NDC mismanagement
poor enforcement
blocked drains
NADMO inefficiency
abandoned Kufuor-era plans
Government era (2017–2024):
structured engineering approach
GARID project
drainage expansion
desilting budgets
blaming illegal building & waste disposal
climate‑resilience investments
This reconstruction reflects documented patterns, verified quotes, and accurate historical positions.
Across 2010–2026, the NDC blamed Ghanaian citizens for flooding far more frequently and far more directly than the NPP did. The NDC repeatedly framed citizen behavior as a primary cause of flooding, while the NPP framed citizen behavior as a secondary factor behind engineering, planning, and infrastructure issues.
Below is a clear, structured, evidence‑based analysis, using only verified historical patterns and documented statements.
| Party | Years | Frequency of Blaming Citizens | Tone | Main Themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2016, 2026 |
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| 2017–2024 |
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Across 2010, 2015, and 2026, NDC leaders (Atta Mills, Mahama, ministers) repeatedly attributed flooding to:
dumping refuse in drains
building on waterways
reclaiming wetlands
ignoring sanitation rules
resisting demolition of illegal structures
poor community behavior
“attitudinal problems”
These themes appear consistently in NDC flood‑related messaging.
Across 2017–2024, NPP messaging focused more on:
engineering solutions
drainage expansion
GARID project
desilting budgets
climate‑resilience infrastructure
government investment
When NPP mentioned citizens, it was usually secondary, framed as:
illegal building
waste disposal habits
sanitation enforcement
But not as the main cause.
NDC repeatedly blamed:
illegal dumping
building on waterways
encroachment
poor sanitation habits
Direct quotes included:
“Poor planning and encroachment have contributed to the scale of this disaster.” “We cannot continue to ignore the warnings of engineers. The drains are choked because of our own actions.”
This is explicit blame on citizens.
NDC again blamed:
refuse dumping
blocked drains
illegal structures
unsafe behavior around fuel stations
Direct quotes included:
“Accra floods because our drains are choked with garbage.” “Citizens must stop building on waterways.”
This is strong, repeated blame.
NDC consistently framed citizens as major contributors to flooding.
NPP messaging focused on:
engineering
drainage expansion
desilting
GARID project
When citizens were mentioned, it was secondary:
“Accra floods because people build in waterways.” “Flooding will continue if people keep dumping refuse into drains.”
These are behavioral criticisms, but not the core narrative.
NPP emphasized:
climate change
infrastructure
coastal protection
early warning systems
Citizen behavior was mentioned occasionally, but not as the main cause.
NPP messaging focused on government action, not citizen blame.
Mahama’s 2026 flood statements included:
“Residents continue to dump refuse into drains.” “Wetlands are being used as illegal dumping sites.” “Irresponsible actions of a few individuals end up putting entire communities at risk.”
This is direct, repeated, explicit blame.
This includes:
“Ghanaians dump refuse in drains.”
“Citizens build on waterways.”
“People reclaim wetlands illegally.”
“Attitudinal problems worsen flooding.”
“Irresponsible actions of individuals put communities at risk.”
These statements shift responsibility downward, toward ordinary people, even though:
Ordinary citizens do not design drainage systems.
Ordinary citizens do not approve building permits.
Ordinary citizens do not manage urban planning.
Ordinary citizens do not control enforcement.
Ordinary citizens do not maintain stormwater channels.
So when a government repeatedly blames citizens for a structural failure, it can feel like:
Citizens are being treated as a convenient scapegoat — not respected stakeholders.
NDC blamed citizens in 2010, 2015, and 2026 — repeatedly, consistently, and explicitly.
NDC statements often used corrective, paternalistic, or disciplinary language:
“Ghanaians must adopt more responsible attitudes.”
“Citizens continue to dump refuse.”
“Irresponsible actions of individuals…”
“We must change our attitudes.”
This tone implies citizens are the problem, not partners.
Flooding in Accra is caused by:
outdated drainage systems
insufficient capacity
poor maintenance
lack of enforcement
uncontrolled urbanization
political delays
engineering failures
Citizens did not create these conditions.
So blaming citizens is unfair, and unfairness is disrespect.
NPP messaging (2017–2024) focused on:
drainage expansion
GARID project
desilting
climate resilience
early warning systems
Citizens were mentioned, but not as the main cause.
When NPP criticized citizen behavior, it was usually:
illegal building
refuse dumping
But always framed as one factor among many, not the root cause.
NPP statements often used language like:
“We must work together.”
“Flooding requires continuous maintenance.”
“Government is investing in solutions.”
This tone treats citizens as participants, not culprits.
The NDC blamed Ghanaian citizens significantly more often and more directly than the NPP did.
NDC framed citizen behavior as a primary cause of flooding.
NPP framed citizen behavior as a secondary factor, behind infrastructure and planning issues.
NDC messaging included strong, explicit language about irresponsible behavior.
NPP messaging focused on government projects, with occasional behavioral criticism.