The heavy downpour that flooded major parts of Accra, leading to loss of lives, properties and displacement of people, has sparked several recommendations from experts.

President Mahama flew in a helicopter over the capital to inspect the extent of damage and then linked the cause to engineering and human activities, after which he ordered a disbursement of GHC300 million from the contingency fund for mitigation efforts and relief.

However, the Ghana Institute of Geoscientists (GhIG), a professional body made up of experts who study the Earth, its materials, processes, and natural resources, in a statement dated July 6, have indicated that Ghana’s flooding problem should not only be treated as an emergency after disasters happen, but as a scientific and planning issue that needs long-term solutions.

Consequently, they have recommended what they describe as “three urgent actions that can be implemented without delay”, including the need for the government to adopt scientific tools to map flood-prone areas to prevent and avoid such disasters.

“First, the government should commission a rapid geohazard mapping exercise for the most severely flood-affected districts, using existing satellite imagery and remote sensing data, to identify high-risk zones and inform emergency shelter and resettlement decisions”, parts of the statement read.

Also, it suggests that authorities, including the District Assemblies, be barred from issuing permits for works such as the erection of structures in floodplains and waterways, citing that this comes at no cost but remains an important move in the fight against flooding in Accra.

“Second, District Assemblies should immediately suspend the issuance of development permits in known floodplains and geologically unstable slopes pending a geoscientific site assessment. This step costs nothing but can prevent future loss of life and property, it added.

Third, “GhIG calls on NADMO to formally co-opt member geoscientists into its current field assessment teams, so that geological expertise informs the damage assessment process already underway.

"These immediate measures, taken together, can begin to shift Ghana's flood response from pure reaction toward evidence-based action, and lay the groundwork for the longer-term reforms that GhIG has outlined and is ready to contribute to, including a National Geological Hazard and Flood Risk Atlas. As part of GhIG’s contribution to long-term solutions, GhIG has officially launched the "Geoscience for a Safer Ghana Initiative."

Aside from the recommendations, GhIG has designated the month of July to embark on a public training campaign “to share professional expertise, provide scientific clarity, understand the root causes of these perennial disasters, and contribute evidence-based perspectives to the national discourse…. to elevate the national conversation beyond short-term blame”.

To achieve this, the institute will implement four core strategic initiatives under the campaign this July:

National Media Campaign: A series of educational expert articles will be published in major national newspapers this week to explain how geosciences like hydrology and soil analysis are essential for long-term flood prevention.

Mudslide Field Assessment: A specialised team of geoscientists will visit areas affected by mudslides to study landslide tracks and ground conditions to help protect vulnerable hill communities.

Public Technical Webinar: A free virtual public forum will take place on Wednesday, 29th July at 6:00 PM GMT via Microsoft Teams to break down the science behind the crisis and share practical, data-driven solutions. Our objective this July is to channel our professional grief into a constructive contribution to national safety. Understanding the earth is the first step toward living safely upon it, and GhIG remains fully committed to defining the critical role our profession must play in safeguarding lives and building a more resilient nation. The public, media houses, civil society organisations, and state development agencies are invited to actively follow and participate in these dialogues.

Registration links for the public webinar and updates on the field findings will be shared continuously on GhIG’s official communication channels:Facebook: @GhIGeoscientists; X (Twitter): @GhIG_1; LinkedIn: Ghana Institute of Geoscientists.

Govt releases GHC 350 m for mitigation, relief

On Tuesday, June 30, the Finance Ministry disbursed GHC 350 million from the Contingency Fund to the respective National Disaster Management Committee accounts to finance urgent flood relief and mitigation efforts, as earlier directed by President John Dramani Mahama following the devastating June 29 floods in Accra and southern Ghana.

In Ghana, the Contingency Fund is a constitutional fund set aside to meet urgent and unforeseen government expenses that cannot wait for the normal budget approval process.

The allocation comprises GH¢200 million for immediate relief assistance to flood victims and affected communities, while the remaining GH¢150 million has been earmarked for flood prevention and mitigation interventions to help minimise the occurrence and impact of future flooding.

The flood emergency, providing timely assistance to transfer, gives effect to President Mahama’s directive for an immediate government response to the affected communities while supporting long-term measures to reduce the impact of future flooding.

Death toll after Monday June 29 downpour

Authorities reported 12 deaths, with 7 people still missing as of July 1, following Monday's, June 29, floods. Earlier, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) reported nine (9) deaths.