The Eminent West Africa Nobles Forum (E-WANF) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency, particularly in flood-prone areas, as part of urgent measures to prevent recurring disasters and loss of life.
The group argues that such a step would enable government to take more decisive and coordinated action to address the growing threat of catastrophic flooding across the country.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr Richard Kofi Asiedu, the forum said recent floods in Accra and other major cities—resulting in property destruction, displacement, and business losses—underscore the need for a more robust national response.
E-WANF further proposed the establishment of a Presidential Task Force to oversee the demolition of illegal structures on waterways and unauthorised areas, as well as the restoration of drainage systems using existing legal frameworks.
The forum also expressed concern that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), despite being the frontline institutions in flood management, are struggling to effectively enforce planning regulations due to institutional weaknesses and other operational challenges.
“President Mahama should, therefore, invoke Article 31 (9) of the 1992 Constitution, as another option, to facilitate demolitions, dredging, and deployment of security agencies, in flood-prone areas, to bring ‘environmental discipline,’ especially concerning the building of structures,” the group suggested.
Click to read the full statement
