Flooding has sadly become a recurring nightmare for many residents in Accra whenever heavy rains fall.
Roads become submerged, homes are destroyed, businesses suffer losses, and in some cases, lives are lost.
While climate change and poor urban planning are often blamed, one major contributor continues to stare us in the face is the irresponsible attitude of people who dump plastic waste and filth into gutters and drainage systems.
Across several communities in Accra, gutters meant to allow the free flow of rainwater have instead turned into dumping sites for sachet water rubbers, plastic bottles, food containers, polythene bags, old clothes, and other household waste.
In many areas, drains are completely blocked with refuse, preventing water from flowing smoothly during rainfall.
This careless behavior has severe consequences. Once the gutters are choked, rainwater overflows onto roads and into homes, causing devastating floods in communities such as Kaneshie, Odawna, Circle, Alajo, Weija, and parts of Adenta and Tema.
The flooding not only damages property but also increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid due to contaminated stagnant water.
Unfortunately, despite repeated warnings from city authorities, environmental agencies, and public awareness campaigns, some residents continue to dispose of waste indiscriminately.
Many people dump rubbish into gutters under the cover of darkness or during rainfall, believing the flowing water will carry the waste away.
In reality, the waste only accumulates further downstream and blocks major drainage channels.
Plastic waste remains one of the biggest environmental threats because it does not decompose easily.
Instead, plastics collect in drains and waterways for years, worsening flooding situations each rainy season.
The growing use of single-use plastics in the city has made the problem even more alarming.
Addressing flooding in Accra therefore requires more than government intervention alone. It demands a change in attitude and behavior from citizens.
Residents must take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and stop treating gutters as rubbish bins.
Waste should be disposed of properly through approved collection systems and dumping sites.
Authorities must also intensify sanitation law enforcement. People caught dumping waste into drains should face strict penalties to serve as a deterrent to others.
At the same time, regular desilting of gutters and public education campaigns must continue across schools, markets, transport terminals, and communities.
Flooding is not just a natural disaster; in many cases, it is a man-made crisis fueled by negligence and indiscipline.
If Accra is to overcome its persistent flooding challenges, both government and citizens must work together to protect the city’s drainage systems from becoming channels of waste.
A cleaner environment and flood-free city begin with responsible attitudes toward sanitation.
By 1960news.com
