The Central Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Kwesi Dawood, has called for permanent engineering interventions to address the recurring flooding situation in the Cape Coast Metropolis and other parts of the Central Region.
Speaking on the Atlantic Wave Issues Segment on Monday, June 22, 2026, Mr. Dawood said the devastating floods that affected parts of Cape Coast over the weekend exposed longstanding structural and drainage challenges that require urgent and sustainable solutions.
According to him, while several preventive measures such as desilting choked drains, dredging waterways, demolishing structures on waterways, and public education campaigns have been undertaken ahead of the rainy season, some flood-prone areas require major engineering works to permanently address the problem.
He noted that the recent flooding around the University of Cape Coast (UCC) community was not solely the responsibility of the university or its students but rather a broader metropolitan challenge caused by uncontrolled water inflows and blocked drainage systems.
“The situation in Cape Coast requires permanent engineering solutions. What happened over the weekend is not the fault of the university authorities or students. It is a Cape Coast problem that the university unfortunately had to bear the brunt of,” he stated.
Mr. Dawood identified key flood hotspots, including the Apewosika stretch, the area behind the Abura Market, and parts of Ola, where improper waste disposal and encroachment on drainage channels continue to obstruct the free flow of water.
He explained that plastic waste and other debris frequently clog drainage systems, worsening flooding during heavy rainfall.
The NADMO Director further revealed that the region has recorded over 5,000 flood victims across 13 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), while 377 persons have been displaced due to building collapses and demolitions.
He added that a total of 18 deaths have been recorded from flood-related incidents, including building collapses, landslides, falling trees and drowning cases across the region.
Mr. Dawood disclosed that Cape Coast alone recorded five fatalities linked to building collapses between Friday and Sunday, with four separate building collapse incidents reported on Sunday in areas including Bakaano, Adisadel and Chapel Square.
Meanwhile, NADMO is collaborating with the Ghana Health Service, Environmental Health Officers, National Security and other state agencies to assess the aftermath of the floods and prevent possible outbreaks of communicable diseases resulting from flooded cemeteries, damaged sanitation facilities and contaminated water sources.
He also appealed to corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and the general public to support affected victims with food items, bedding, educational materials, hygiene kits, medical supplies and other relief items.
Mr. Dawood stressed that while emergency response remains critical, greater attention must be given to long-term flood mitigation measures to protect lives, property and livelihoods in the Cape Coast Metropolis and the Central Region as a whole.
READ ALSO: NADMO Issues Urgent Flood Warning to Residents Near Brimsu River
Source: Alhaji Ibrahim/ATLFMNEWS
