Young climate advocates have stated that Ghana's repeated flood troubles are caused by people's behaviour and poor enforcement of sanitation rules. These actions are as much to blame as climate change and bad drainage systems. The advocates shared these views at an event called Loud and Green XSpaces. They noted that people have thrown rubbish carelessly for many years.
Poor city living and weak rules have made harmful habits normal in communities. Climate communicator Maxwell Aklorbortu shared a story. A passenger threw a plastic bottle from a moving car. When Mr. Aklorbortu questioned this, the person reacted angrily. This showed a widespread lack of care for the environment. Improper waste disposal directly causes floods. Plastic and trash block rivers. This changes how water naturally flows. When waterways are blocked, water finds new paths. These paths can lead into homes.
Youth climate reporter Lady Diana Banyeh also described her experience. She got stuck in floodwaters near Madina Zongo Junction. This happened after heavy rain. Traders kept throwing waste into drains. This made the flood worse. It created dangerous situations for people. Businesses closed and homes flooded. The road looked like a gutter.
Climate activist Gafaru Aminu offered a different view. He said individual actions must be seen with larger issues. Leadership and city planning play a big part. They shape how people act. Without good ways to throw away trash and strong government support, good people might start bad habits. Mr. Aminu believes if leaders make these issues a priority, the right systems will be put in place. These discussions happened when the youth-led Loud and Green initiative started. It helps young people speak out about climate issues. It makes talking about the environment easier.
The participants agreed on a key point. Without changing how people behave and enforcing environmental laws strictly, Ghana will keep facing floods. This cycle of "small rains, big floods" affects many cities. The issue is not just about how much rain falls. It is about how people and the government manage waste and water paths. Weak enforcement means rules are often ignored. This allows bad practices to continue. The economic cost of these floods is significant. It includes damage to property and disruption of businesses.
The advocates are calling for action. They want stricter penalties for littering. They also want better waste management systems. Education plays a crucial role. People need to understand the impact of their actions. Government investment in drainage infrastructure is also vital. However, infrastructure alone is not enough. Behavioural change must accompany it. The focus now shifts to whether authorities will heed these calls. Public cooperation is essential. The future of Ghana's urban areas depends on it. The recurring nature of floods highlights a failure in planning and execution.