President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other key state institutions to compile a detailed assessment of Ghana’s flooding challenges following recent flood incidents that have affected several parts of the country, particularly the capital, Accra.

The President said the exercise is intended to identify flood-prone zones, encroached waterways and other vulnerable areas to guide both immediate interventions and long-term solutions aimed at reducing the impact of flooding nationwide.

President Mahama issued the directive on Tuesday, June 9, shortly after arriving at the Accra International Airport from an official trip to Belarus.

His comments come in the wake of heavy rainfall that has triggered flooding in a number of communities, causing damage to property and disrupting daily activities, especially in parts of Accra.

According to the President, this year's rainy season has been unusually intense, with persistent downpours since May worsening the country's flood situation and exposing weaknesses in urban planning and drainage systems.

He also expressed concern about the growing number of structures erected on waterways and flood-prone lands, questioning how some of the developments received official approval.

“But some of the houses have building permits. How did they get them? So we have to do some soul-searching,” he stated.

President Mahama stressed the need for greater accountability among institutions responsible for physical planning, building regulation and land management, insisting that authorities must take decisive steps to halt further encroachment on waterways.

He further cautioned against the tendency to react only after disasters strike, urging state agencies to adopt a proactive approach to flood prevention.

“We shouldn’t be like the vulture who says he will repair his roof when the rain stops,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for sustained and preventive measures rather than temporary responses.

The President directed NADMO and relevant agencies to work together to map all restricted waterways across the country and recommend corrective actions once the assessment is completed.

He also called for intensified public education on environmental stewardship and flood prevention, urging the Government Communications Department and other institutions to strengthen awareness campaigns.

President Mahama maintained that stricter enforcement of planning regulations, enhanced public sensitisation and improved infrastructure development would be essential in addressing the country's recurring flooding challenges and safeguarding communities from future disasters.