Government to Demolish Buildings on Six Accra Wetlands in Major Flood Prevention Drive

By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada | June 30, 2026

The Government of Ghana has announced plans to demolish buildings illegally constructed on six major wetlands in the Greater Accra Region as part of an intensified effort to reduce the recurring flooding that has plagued the capital during the rainy season.

The intervention follows days of torrential rainfall that left several communities submerged, displaced thousands of residents, disrupted businesses, and claimed lives. Officials say the exercise forms part of a broader strategy to restore natural waterways and improve the city’s resilience to extreme weather events.

According to government officials, the affected wetlands have been heavily encroached upon over the years through unauthorized residential and commercial developments, significantly reducing their natural ability to absorb excess rainwater and increasing the risk of flooding across the metropolis.

The demolition exercise will target structures situated within designated wetland zones, with authorities stressing that the move is necessary to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure. Officials say preserving wetlands is essential because they serve as natural flood buffers by storing and gradually releasing stormwater during periods of heavy rainfall.

The announcement comes as emergency agencies continue responding to widespread flooding across parts of Greater Accra and other regions. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), supported by the Ghana Armed Forces and other emergency services, has been carrying out rescue and evacuation operations in flood-affected communities while assessing damage to homes, roads, and public facilities.

Urban planning experts have repeatedly warned that unchecked construction on waterways and wetlands remains one of the leading causes of flooding in Accra. They argue that years of weak enforcement of planning regulations have allowed buildings to obstruct natural drainage channels, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable whenever heavy rains occur.

Environmental specialists have welcomed the government’s decision, describing it as a critical step toward restoring the ecological functions of wetlands. They, however, caution that demolitions alone will not permanently solve Accra’s flooding challenges unless they are accompanied by improved drainage infrastructure, stricter land-use enforcement, and sustained public education on environmental protection.

Authorities have indicated that affected property owners will be notified in accordance with the law before demolition works begin. They have also warned against future encroachment on wetlands and waterways, pledging stricter enforcement of planning regulations to prevent a recurrence of the problem.

The latest measures underscore the government’s determination to tackle one of Accra’s most persistent urban challenges, as climate experts warn that increasingly intense rainfall linked to changing weather patterns is likely to place even greater pressure on the city’s drainage systems in the years ahead.