The organisation said flooding had become an annual crisis that continued to cause destruction to lives, property, and infrastructure, largely due to uncontrolled human activities and weak enforcement of environmental regulations.

Mr. Emmanuel N. A. Taye, a Wetland Ecologist and Ornithologist at the CBCR, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that, the time had come for authorities to take bold, science-based actions to safeguard both people and ecosystems.
He said flooding in urban areas had emerged as a critical challenge demanding immediate attention.

The increasing frequency and severity of flood events have turned ordinary rainfall into episodes of disruption and distress.
He attributed the growing frequency and intensity of floods in the capital and other urban centres to uncontrolled urbanisation, poor drainage systems, and the sitting of buildings and other structures in waterways.

“The increase in built-up areas is one of the main reasons flooding has become more frequent, especially in places that never used to experience it,” Mr. Taye observed.
“Life comes to a standstill in cities like Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Bolgatanga experience whenever it rains, as floodwaters inundate roads, homes, and businesses.

The resulting damage not only disrupts daily life but also inflicts severe economic hardship, often leaving families financially devastated and struggling to recover.”

Mr. Taye urged the government to undertake an aggressive exercise to clear buildings and illegal structures along waterways and flood-prone areas, while ensuring that future developments adhered strictly to planning and environmental guidelines.

According to him, the increasing incidence of flooding did not only threaten lives and infrastructure but also posed serious risks to food security, as farmlands, livestock, and supply chains were often destroyed during floods.

Mr Taye called for stronger collaboration among relevant state institutions to find sustainable solutions to the problem.
He reiterated CBCR’s commitment to supporting the government and stakeholders through research, advocacy, and community engagement to promote sustainable urban development and ecosystem resilience.