The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has warned of potential widespread flooding across the country with the onset of the rainy season.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has stressed the need to halt encroachment on wetlands to minimize the devastating effects of expected heavy rains.
Her warning comes in the wake of a severe downpour and storm on Tuesday, March 26, which triggered flooding in parts of the Greater Accra Region and caused trees and billboards to collapse, damaging several vehicles.
Speaking to the media after delivering her inaugural lecture at the University of Ghana on Thursday, March 27, Professor Klutse underscored the urgent need to stop construction on Ramsar sites.
“We see flooding happening, and this year, we are going to have a lot of it. Two days ago, or even yesterday [Wednesday, March 26], we had heavy rain for a short period, but it was intense and stormy. These are some of the extreme weather events we should expect this year, and we need to prepare our adaptation plans to withstand their impact.
“There are a few things we do that actually cause flooding. We must stop building on waterways. No matter how heavy it rains, water should be able to flow into wetlands or areas designed to store excess water,” she warned.
The EPA is urging authorities and the public to take immediate action to prevent further encroachment on flood-prone areas to mitigate the risks of severe flooding.
