Nurture Nature Foundation calls for urgent action to address flood crisis in Accra – Nsemkeka
Following the recent severe flooding incidents across Accra and other parts of Ghana, Nurture Nature Foundation urgently calls on government authorities, urban planners, developers, and citizens to prioritise the protection of natural buffer zones and restructure the urban transportation system to build adaptive, flood-resilient cities.
The Foundation noted that the repeated flooding caused by continuous heavy rains has resulted in devastating damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, with tragic loss of lives, adding that “these perennial floods highlight critical weaknesses in urban planning and environmental management, particularly the unchecked encroachment on natural waterways and inadequate drainage infrastructure.”
Nurture Nature Foundation advocates the immediate enforcement and restoration of riparian buffer zones — natural vegetated areas along rivers and streams — as frontline defenses against floods.
These buffer zones, according to them, absorb excess rainwater, reduce surface runoff, prevent soil erosion, and improve water quality. Furthermore, these areas can support sustainable water transportation options during floods, offering safer and more efficient mobility alternatives to overwhelmed road networks.
In addition, the Foundation calls for a comprehensive restructuring of Accra’s urban transport infrastructure, including elevated roadways in flood-prone areas, integrated drainage systems, and the promotion of alternative transport modes such as water-based transit during the rainy season. These measures are critical to minimise flood disruption and enhance the city’s resilience.
Peter Asiedu, Executive Director of Nurture Nature Foundation, opines that:
“Our flood challenges are urgent but also present a tremendous opportunity. If we restore our natural buffer zones and rethink how we move through our city, we can build an Accra that is not only resilient but also prosperous and sustainable. The time to act is now — for our people, our economy, and our environment.”
Nurture Nature Foundation urges all stakeholders to come together and commit to sustainable urban development practices that protect the environment, improve public safety, and build climate-resilient cities.