Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia North, Collins Owusu Amankwah has called on the government to consider relocating Ghana’s national capital from Accra to the Eastern Region, citing persistent flooding, congestion, and sanitation challenges in the city.

Speaking about the recurring floods affecting parts of the capital, he argued that a long-term solution may require a rethink of Accra’s status as the country’s administrative and economic hub.

“Any smart government would consider moving the national capital to the Eastern Region,” he stated.

According to him, Accra has become overly congested due to its status as the national capital, which attracts large numbers of people and places enormous pressure on infrastructure and public services.

“Accra is overly congested with poor sanitation issues,” he said.

He suggested that relocating the capital could encourage balanced national development and reduce the population pressure on the city.

“We must have a second thought and move the capital from Accra to the Eastern Region so that when expansion happens, it can extend further into the Ashanti Region,” he argued.

The former MP described the state of flooding and sanitation in Accra as unacceptable, pointing to the disruption caused by recent heavy rains.

“The issues of flooding and sanitation are pathetic,” he lamented.

He noted that some roads became impassable during the floods, resulting in severe traffic congestion and leaving many motorists stranded.

“Roads were blocked, causing traffic, and some vehicles even ran out of fuel, leaving motorists stranded,” he said.


The former MP also blamed local authorities for failing to enforce planning regulations, alleging that assemblies have allowed illegal developments to flourish.

“The assemblies are compromising on structures that have been built in the wrong places, and this has encouraged others to do the same,” he claimed.

He further accused some traditional leaders of contributing to the problem by permitting developments in unauthorized areas.

“Some chiefs are also indulging in such acts and refuse to be reprimanded, sometimes threatening people with curses,” he alleged.

He concluded by urging authorities to take bold and long-term decisions to address urban planning, sanitation, and flooding challenges, warning that the situation in Accra could worsen if decisive action is not taken.