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Nature Warns Ghana: Flooding Claims Over 2100 Lives

Floods have claimed over 2100 lives in Ghana, Sierra Leone, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and the United States in 2017. Flooding, like all natural disasters has devastating socioeconomic impacts with millions of dollars churned out as relief fund.


Ghana risks losing its resources to natural phenomena like flooding, fire, mudslides and rainstorms. Ecological services provided by forest are dwarfed by deforestation and illegal mining. Surface runoff during rainfall has also increased due to bad town planning and the absence of eco-friendly infrastructure.


It is worthy of notice that, the impact of a natural disaster is directly proportional to the level of infrastructural development and the astute capabilities of individuals and agencies responsible for mitigation, monitoring and evaluation of associated risks.



Mass burial of Sierra Leone Mudslide Victims

More than 400 bodies buried at Paloko cemetery

in Waterloo, Sierra Leone.Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters


Since February 2017, fifteen people have perished in flood related accidents in Central and Northern regions of Ghana amidst the destruction of several properties . The impact of natural disasters is higher in rural settlements or developing countries. In developed countries, a more preventive approach is implemented to reduce the impact of natural disasters.


In June 2015, Ghana recorded the highest count of flood related deaths in a single incident–over 120 people died in an explosion at a fuel station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Poor design of storms drains and inadequate risk assessment are shocking reasons for the tragedy.The timely evacuation of Houston settlers during Hurricane Harvey reduced the death toll to about 75. In Sierra Leone and Congo, over 900 people have died in flood related incidents. In India and its border countries Nepal and Bangladesh, more than a thousand people were killed by floods in August.


Ghana has lost 33.7% of its forest, equivalent to 2.5 million hectares since the early 1990s (FAO, 2010). Town and Country Planning have been abysmal in the last decade. Land for drainage system and reservoirs are forfeited for homes and workplaces because as a result of increase in population. Wetlands are encroached leaving the coastal zones at the mercy of coastal and terrestrial flooding.


Majority of Ghanaian communities have failed to desilt choked gutters and resort to proper waste handling practices.Rainwater harvesting and groundwater sourcing is practiced by few households in urban areas who are at a higher risk of flooding due to crowded settlements.


Once we have failed as a country in environmental monitoring and stewardship, we must brace ourselves for a devastating occurrences like rainstorms, flooding, fire and landslides. Flood related deaths recorded globally are wake-up calls for NADMO and Ghana Environmental Protection Agency.


Choked drainage system at Ahodwo,Kumasi

It is time for comprehensive risk assessments and monitoring of potential environmental hazards nationwide. Policies and funding allocated for the alleviation of environmental health and safety hazards must comprise of a formidable framework for sustainability.


The role of individuals and corporate societies cannot be overlooked for the reason that, flooding poses non-selective social security threats. Inappropriate practices that increase the risk of flooding, fire or landslides must be reported to NADMO and Environmental Protection Agency for consequence management.


We have only one Ghana remaining in economic, social and environmental terms. There is the need to protect lives and preserve natural resources–unlike material things, lives cannot be replaced.


Do you want to VOLUNTEER as an Environmental Ambassador in your COMMUNITY?


Kindly send your name, phone number and location via our.gheco@gmail.com


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