Urban Flooding, Adaptation Strategies, and Resilience: Case Study of Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Despite massive flood controlling investments, perennial flooding continues to be a major challenge in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Assembly in Ghana. Previous studies have mostly considered the vulnerability of Accra to flooding induced by urbanization and climate change. This chapter examined the impacts of and adaptation strategies to flooding in two flood-prone residential areas in Accra. A survey was conducted among 320 household heads to ascertain local impacts of floods and community adaptation strategies. To obtain a broader picture of government interventions and challenges, key stakeholders such as personnel from ministries, departments, and agencies who are involved in city planning, and private urban planning consultants were interviewed. The study found that a notable driver of floods in Accra is blocked waterways, and flawed and ad hoc engineering works. About three-quarters of the households interviewed have suffered flood-related losses over the past decade such as housing damage, income, and even a death of a relative. Key flood control interventions included dredging prior to start of rains and sporadic demolition of unauthorized buildings on or near waterways to allow free flow of water. However, these interventions only seem to be ephemeral due to the rapid rate of littering and re-siltation of the waterways after few rain events. The study highlights the need for more pragmatic and robust engineering solutions to build resilience of Accra to floods.

Water and Health Nexus—Land Use Dynamics, Flooding, and Water-Borne Diseases in the Odaw River Basin, Ghana

“…The rainfall shows a bimodal pattern, with the highest rainfall recorded between April and July and the lowest between September and October, with an average annual rainfall of 730 mm [25,26]. The catchment is densely populated, with more than 60% of the population of Accra, where about 30% of the residents are exposed to flood risk [27,28]. Rainfall in the Odaw catchment occurs in the form of short but intensive storm events, which cause localized flash and riverine floods in areas with poor and choked drainage systems [29].…”

“…Historical flood disaster records show major flood events in GAMA where the Odaw River has been the hotspot following extremely high rainfall intensities, since 2001 with recent events in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015 [30]. The 3 June 2015 flood disaster is often used as a reference flood year, due to the combined impacts of the flood and a fire outbreak at Odawna [28,31]. In any given year, Accra has over a 20% chance of experiencing floods, given an extremely high rainfall, and is vulnerable to a 10-year flood with a 10% probability of occurrence [31].…”

“…In addition, there are ongoing projects from 2019 to 2025 (Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project) to dredge the Odaw-Korle drainage systems, build human capacity, and create flood retention ponds within the catchment. However, the preliminary reports highlighted challenges with funding and noncompliance from the communities and institutions [28].…”