Ghana Engineers Push Mandatory Rainwater Harvesting to Combat Accra Floods

Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse, president of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE), said compulsory rainwater harvesting and temporary on‑site storage are the only viable options to curb Accra’s persistent flooding. GhIE has submitted a policy note to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources urging that all new housing developments incorporate rainwater harvesting infrastructure and underground storm‑water storage to slow runoff, citing the loss of natural retention ponds and the rapid travel of water from the highlands to the city.

Hesse also noted that the engineering community is consulting internally to present a unified set of evidence‑based recommendations following heavy rains on June 3 that caused further floods. The GhIE plans to release its position soon, aiming to influence drainage policy, road maintenance practices and overall storm‑water management in the capital.