NADMO Blames Unauthorized Construction and Poor Sanitation for Severe Flooding in Tema West Municipality

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has identified unauthorized construction and poor waste management as the primary drivers of recent severe flooding within the Tema West Municipality. According to Mr. Kwaku Adjei Baah of NADMO, the recurring inundation of residential areas is not merely a result of seasonal weather patterns but is significantly exacerbated by human activities that obstruct natural water drainage systems. The organization has warned that unless these underlying issues are addressed, the risk to lives and property will continue to escalate during the current rainy season.

A critical factor highlighted by NADMO is the proliferation of illegal structures across the municipality. Mr. Baah revealed that approximately 99% of the buildings currently obstructing watercourses in the area lack the necessary official permits. This trend is particularly evident in the Sakumono Ramsar Site, a protected wetland where ongoing illegal developments have severely compromised the land’s natural ability to absorb excess rainwater. Areas such as Church Village have been cited as prime examples of ineffective urban planning, where residential expansion has occurred in zones never intended for housing, leading to predictable and devastating consequences for inhabitants.

The impact of this poor land use is widespread, with Communities 16 through 20, Lashibi, and Sakumono Village among the most severely affected locations. Beyond illegal construction, improper sanitation practices have significantly worsened the situation. Litter and solid waste frequently clog the municipality's drainage networks, preventing the free flow of water and forcing it into homes and streets. NADMO officials emphasized that the combination of blocked drains and buildings positioned directly in the path of runoff creates a bottleneck effect that ensures even moderate rainfall results in significant flooding.

Looking ahead, NADMO has issued an urgent advisory for residents living in high-risk zones and flood-prone areas to relocate to safer ground immediately. With meteorological forecasts predicting heavier rainfall as the season progresses, the organization stressed that the current infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle higher volumes of water. While long-term solutions involving the enforcement of building codes and improved waste management systems are necessary, the immediate priority remains the safety of residents who are encouraged to heed warnings to avoid further tragedy.