Prof. Chris Gordon Blames Accra Flooding on Construction in Waterways and Natural Drainage Paths
Environmental scientist Prof. Chris Gordon has attributed the recurring flooding in parts of the capital to the construction of buildings in areas designated as waterways and natural drainage channels.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Monday, June 8, 2026, Prof. Gordon said the flooding being experienced in areas such as Oyarifa was a predictable consequence of rapid and poorly regulated urban development.
“You don’t need to be a prophet to predict these things. If you look at the foothills of the Akwapim Range, what used to be farmlands and forest areas has now been taken over by buildings. So, it is not surprising that Oyarifa and areas like that will suffer floods,” he stated.
Prof. Gordon explained that replacing natural vegetation and permeable surfaces with concrete structures and paved areas has drastically reduced the soil’s ability to absorb rainwater, forcing runoff into communities and overwhelming drainage systems.
“This is science. It is cause and effect. You cannot cheat science, and you cannot cheat nature. We have built in places that we should not build. We’ve created areas that are impervious to water. The water has to go somewhere, and as a result, we will have flooding,” he emphasised.
His comments come amid recent flooding incidents that displaced residents and prompted the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other agencies to demolish several structures considered to pose safety risks.
Prof. Gordon called for stricter enforcement of planning and building regulations, as well as better land-use management, to prevent further flooding disasters and protect lives and property in vulnerable communities across the Greater Accra Region.
