Former Greater Accra Regional Minister Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover has linked worsening floods in Accra and other parts of Ghana to the cancellation of a major sanitation contract previously handled by Zoomlion Ghana Limited, alongside poor waste management practices.
He argued that the disruption of routine street sweeping and refuse collection has allowed waste to pile up in drains, blocking waterways and increasing flooding during heavy rainfall.
Mr Glover said the capital has become more exposed to floods because sanitation services are no longer consistent.
He pointed specifically to the cancellation of the Zoomlion contract under the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), which he believes has weakened waste management operations for almost a year.
“Another problem that I have identified is our inability to continue the sweeping in the metropolis, in the towns; the cancellation of the Zoomlion contract, from last year, for almost a year now, look at the number of refuse that are in the water and ends up in the ocean,” he stated.
He added that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) do not have the financial strength, equipment, or manpower to fully take over street sweeping and sanitation duties.
“The assemblies don’t have the capacity. Logistically, materially, financially, they don’t have the capacity. The person who has the capacity to do this, you’ve asked him to stop the work. He is doing it in 29 African countries. Lagos alone, he has 25 years contract and he’s working to collect these refuse for the time,” he said.
Mr Glover also warned that continued rainfall could trigger serious flooding around major water bodies such as the Sakumo Lagoon.
“If there should be continuous rain for the next five hours, I can tell you the Sakumo Lagoon will overflow onto the road,” he warned.
He called for stronger sanitation systems, regular desilting of drains, and sustained waste collection to reduce the risk of future flooding across the country.
The former minister also pushed for stricter enforcement of sanitation laws and greater public accountability, saying offenders must face sanctions to discourage improper waste disposal.
“Attitude of our people, people need to be punished. We need to set examples for people to know that what you are doing is bad,” he said.
His remarks come at a time of renewed public concern over recurring floods and ongoing debates about waste management and urban sanitation in Ghana’s major cities.
