The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) raised concerns that the persistent issue has turned into a serious public health emergency and has urged President John Dramani Mahama to take what it calls “tough and decisive” measures to offer long-lasting remedies to Ghana’s recurrent flooding catastrophe.
The Association, in a statement signed by its President, Prof. Dr. (Med.) Ernest Yorke, and General Secretary, Dr. (Dent.) Richard Selormey, stated that the increasing frequency and severity of floods continue to claim lives, displace thousands of people, destroy property and livelihoods, disrupt transportation networks, disrupt emergency healthcare services, and increase the risk of disease outbreak.
“We urge the President to take tough and decisive decisions and actions that will bring significant and lasting solutions to the perennial flood situation in Accra and other communities,” the statement said.
The GMA highlighted that, while Accra has had large flooding disasters over the years, the problem has gradually expanded to other parts of the country, with recent floods affecting the Greater Accra, Central, Western, and Volta regions.
Inadequate and poorly maintained drainage systems, rapid urbanisation, deforestation, climate change, poor waste disposal practices, encroachment on wetlands and natural watercourses, illegal mining activities, political meddling, lax enforcement of zoning and building regulations, a lack of public education, and infrastructural deficiencies were all cited by the GMA as contributing factors to the recurrent floods.
The approval of illegal developments in flood-prone areas, insufficient budget and personnel for monitoring and enforcement, insufficient legal penalties to discourage violations, and inadequate equipment and logistics for emergency rescue operations, according to the report, further exacerbate the issue.
The Association called on the government to strengthen drainage infrastructure by expanding and maintaining stormwater systems on a regular basis, to strictly enforce land-use planning regulations to prevent developments in flood-prone areas, and to increase public awareness of environmental sanitation, proper waste disposal, and flood preparedness.
It also demanded the depoliticisation of flood management, more robust accountability systems in flood control initiatives, and integrated urban planning.
Public authorities and other actors who support or allow unlawful developments that jeopardise public safety should be held responsible, according to the GMA.
The Association also called for increased investment in emergency response institutions such as the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana National Fire Service, hospital emergency departments, and the Department of Social Welfare to improve flood-related preparedness and response.
Additionally, it advised people living in flood-affected areas to follow appropriate public health precautions, such as washing their hands frequently under running water with soap, drinking clean water, eating hot, freshly prepared meals, properly disposing of waste, and getting medical help right away if they experience diarrhoea or other symptoms of illness.
Source: newsthemegh.com