‘Tackling floods is a challenge of knowledge, technology’

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor says in as much as the causes of recurring floods could be partly blamed on acts of indiscipline by some Ghanaians, dealing with the challenge goes beyond individuals.

He says the challenge at hand needs to be fixed by employing the best of technology and that falls on the doorstep of leadership.

The former President made a statement to suggest that in times when countries and cities were constructing robust buildings on water, Ghana cannot be using the excuse of building on supposed waterways as the main cause of flooding.

He says the challenge requires a technological solution which is beyond the capacities of the individual and called on Government to tackle it hands-on.

The former President said this at the launch of the June 3 Disaster Support Fund by TV3, which seeks to raise Ghc10 million to assist victims of the flood and fire disaster that hit the country.

Mr. Kufuor said due to the effects of climate change rainfall patterns had changed, warning of more severe rains if the country does not put its house in order.

"The worsening environmental change due to climate change, means that the weather is now very unpredictable. The rains do not come when we expect them, and when they do come they pour in such measures that cause havoc and tragedy in their trail. The force of nature is such that, even with the best of preparations, it can hardly be contained. We have seen this in some of the most developed parts of the world as they have been unable to control heavy snowfall, wildfires or excessive rainfall. The good news however is that, in these places which is the developed part, up-to-date technologies are being developed to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. Their emergency services also react promptly to minimize the effects of the catastrophe"

"Unfortunately however in our part of the world, we lack effective and providential planning, comprehensive prioritizing of development projects is yet to characterize national growth. It is now time for our professional institutions; the institution of engineers, the institution of architects; the institution of planners among others to stand up and be counted. They must now make their voices heard for the rightful thing to be done in this nation of ours".

"I am tempted to blame us as individual citizens; but I am telling you the challenge perhaps is above the individual. It's a challenge of knowledge; we are talking of technology. We are talking of times when nations or cities built on water thrive even in the face of storms; we know it and our professional institutions know this. So please let them stand and pressurize government to take the right policies, prioritize and to do the right things for us" he admonished.

Ghana has witnessed perennial floods over a long period of time with the national capital, Accra, being the hardest hit.

The recent rains coupled with a fire outbreak at a fuel station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, led to the loss of over 150 lives, injured many and displaced several others.