An assessment of flood mitigation measures in Accra, Ghana
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Date
2015-03-24
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Abstract
Flooding has been a perennial problem in parts of Accra for many years now resulting
in loss of lives and properties. Some flood prone areas have received major flood
management interventions from the government to prevent floods and others have not.
This research sought to analyze the causes of flooding and assessed the effectiveness
of flood controls to address the problem.
To analyze the problem two communities in different parts of Accra namely, Glefe
which is a coastal community and Alajo, located inland were selected for this study.
Face-to-face interviews were conducted with key city officials to identify the main
causes of flooding and the flood control measures implemented. Surveys were held
with home owners in the study communities to capture their views on causes of
flooding as well as the effectiveness of mitigation measures implemented by either the
government or themselves.
The research found that storm drains had been constructed to prevent flooding in
Alajo while Glefe had no major defence against flooding. The result was that Alajo
no longer experienced flooding. Although Alajo has been a success story, the drains
need regular maintenance and management by the Hydrological Services Department
to desilt the drains and to sanction residents found dumping domestic wastes into the
drains. In Glefe, the high sea waves persistently inundate dry lands while the two
nearby lagoons (Dzatapkor and Gbugbe) are filled with refuse. Spells of rainfall cause
the lagoons to overflow into the surrounding homes. Though home owners have made
attempts like constructing temporary drains, clearing choked drains and building flood
protection walls to mitigate the effects of the flood in Glefe, very minimal success has
been achieved.
The research recommends short and long term interventions to mitigate flooding in
Glefe. Residents need to refrain from damaging activities like reclamation of the
lagoons and sand mining. City officials also need to provide effective solutions to
prevent flooding in Glefe. Solutions like building of a sea wall, demolishing buildings
in encroached areas, drain improvement and total relocation of the community can be
explored with funding from international development partners and the government.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology, in partial
fulfillment of the requirements
for the award of
degree of
Master of Science in
Development Planning and Management