Accra experienced widespread flooding in June 2026, paralysing transport and damaging homes and businesses, 17 months after President John Dramani Mahama pledged to end the city's perennial flood problem.
President Mahama, who returned to office in January 2025, made an "engineering solution" to Accra's floods a central promise of his 2024 election campaign. His plan included investments in sustainable drainage systems, clearing waterways, improving waste management, and proactive measures against heavy rains.
This renewed flooding brings the effectiveness of government efforts into question. Accra has long struggled with floods, impacting economic activity and public safety. The government's push for a parametric flood insurance scheme shows a shift towards mitigating financial losses, complementing ongoing infrastructure debates.
In a Facebook post on May 27, 2024, Mahama stated his government would find engineering solutions for persistent flooding in Accra if re-elected. He criticised the previous administration for spending $200 million on the Greater Accra Resilient Integrated Development (GARID) Programme with limited impact. His National Democratic Congress also blamed the previous government's failure to desilt major drains like the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon.
In March 2025, President Mahama established a seven-member Anti-Flood Taskforce led by Deputy Chief of Staff Stanislav Dogbe. The taskforce conducted aerial surveys and pledged military assistance for desilting major drains. In April 2025, Mahama personally toured flood-prone areas, ordering the demolition of structures built on wetlands and blocking watercourses. He stressed that these wetlands were natural protectors and that greed-driven construction on watercourses led to loss of life and property.
Alongside these measures, the government committed to a parametric flood insurance scheme for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area in its 2026 budget. This scheme aims to protect 1.2 million vulnerable residents from flood-related disasters. Parametric insurance pays out based on predefined triggers like rainfall levels, not actual damage, allowing faster disbursements to affected households in low-income areas. This initiative started in 2022 as a public-private partnership with the Ministry of Finance, the U.N. Development Programme, and the Insurance Development Forum, supported by Germany.
Progress on the insurance scheme, however, has been slow. Procurement began only in September 2025, following Ministry of Finance approval. The January 2025 presidential transition significantly delayed the flood product process. Experts caution that insurance is a complement, not a complete solution, as infrastructure projects take years, and flood risks persist due to climate change.
The June 2026 rains turned roads in areas like Kaneshie and Kwame Nkrumah Circle into rivers. This trapped commuters and flooded markets. Returning from Belarus on June 9, President Mahama directed the disaster management agency, NADMO, to prepare a comprehensive report. His diagnosis of the problem, however, appears to have shifted. Speaking in London on May 31, he stated that Accra's flooding is "not an engineering problem," but rather a "problem of indiscipline," citing construction on waterways and improper waste disposal. This echoes criticisms made by former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The recurring floods could impact public confidence in the current administration's ability to tackle critical urban challenges. The effectiveness of the new insurance scheme and future infrastructure investments will be closely watched by citizens and financial markets.