Ghana Institution of Engineers proposes rainwater storage systems to reduce Accra flooding

As part of measures to help address the persistent flooding in Accra, the President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has proposed the introduction of rainwater harvesting and storage systems in buildings.

Speaking in a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM monitored by Graphic Online on Tuesday [June 2, 2026], Mr Hesse said Accra had lost many of its natural water retention areas, causing rainwater to flow more quickly into communities that are prone to flooding.

He said the Ghana Institute of Engineers for instance has submitted a policy note to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources outlining measures to help reduce flooding in the capital.

He said one of the proposals was to encourage the storage of rainwater at the point where it falls, rather than allowing large volumes to move rapidly into waterways and low-lying areas.

"Just two weeks ago, we sent a policy note to the Ministry for Works and Housing on how we think the only option left for us to stop flooding in Accra is to start storing water in our houses locally," he said.

"When the rain falls, we should hold the water there so it doesn't get to Accra. But after the rain, we can release it gradually."

Mr Hesse said estate developers should be required to incorporate rainwater harvesting and storage facilities into their projects.

"We should now be compelling every estate developer to do rainwater harvesting and store the water on site," he said.

He also proposed that future building regulations make underground water storage systems mandatory for new developments.

"Every new development should, by law, do a subterranean storage of water and then let it out gradually," he said.

He added that existing properties undergoing major renovations should also be required to install such systems to slow surface runoff.

According to Mr Hesse, studies conducted by the institution show that many of the natural retention areas in Greater Accra have disappeared due to urban development.

"The studies that we've done show that almost all the retention points we have within the Greater Accra area are all gone," he said.

"So water is not being held anywhere."

He said the changes had reduced the time rainwater takes to travel from upstream communities to Accra.

"When it took like 12 hours for a drop of water to travel from Aburi to Accra 20 years ago, today it takes about an hour for the water to arrive in Accra," he said.

"So we are gathering a lot of water."

While supporting the demolition of structures built on waterways, Ing. Hesse said such measures alone would not solve the flooding problem.

"Those who are built in waterways should be demolished, and there's no second thought about it," he said.

"It doesn't mean that when they are demolished, the flooding problems will stop. It will mitigate something locally."

He said greater attention should be given to slowing the movement of stormwater before it reaches flood-prone areas such as Sakumono and parts of central Accra.

"The bigger problem is where it falls, and how to delay it from arriving in Sakumono, how to delay it from arriving at Korle, how to delay it from arriving at that station," he said.

"This is our problem."

Mr Hesse also raised concerns about the management of Greater Accra, saying many infrastructure and environmental issues extend beyond the boundaries of individual metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

"There are things that have to be managed together as a greater metropolitan area," he said.

"We need to have some greater metropolitan management structure put in place to overcome the lack of coordination."

He cited the management of the Odaw River and major road corridors that pass through multiple jurisdictions as examples of challenges that require a unified approach.

Despite the difficulties facing the capital, Ing. Hesse said Accra's challenges could still be addressed through effective planning and policy measures.

"Our problems are salvageable," he said.

"We've destroyed ourselves to a larger extent, but we have to make some very hard decisions, implement some hard policies to start mitigating and reversing some of the bad trends to make this place really livable."