A public health expert has called for a nationwide effort to improve sanitation and eliminate indiscriminate waste disposal, warning that these measures are critical to reducing flooding and preventing disease outbreaks.
The appeal comes in the wake of recent floods that affected Accra and several other parts of the country during the ongoing rainy season.
Speaking in an interview, retired Public Health Analyst Douglas Tagoe said Ghana’s recurring flood disasters are driven largely by human behaviour rather than inadequate drainage infrastructure alone.
“Every year we witness the same tragedy. Floodwaters claim lives, destroy property and disrupt livelihoods, yet we continue to repeat the same mistakes,” he said.
Mr Tagoe stressed that while continued investment in drainage infrastructure is essential, public cooperation remains equally important in preventing floods. He explained that plastic bags, bottles, food containers and other refuse dumped into drains or thrown from moving vehicles block waterways, restricting the free flow of stormwater and increasing the risk of flooding.
He further warned that stagnant floodwaters become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-causing organisms, heightening the risk of malaria, cholera, diarrhoeal diseases and other public health emergencies.
“Floods do not end when the rain stops. The real danger begins afterwards, when contaminated water, human waste and refuse create the perfect environment for disease outbreaks,” he cautioned.
Mr Tagoe described cholera as one of the most serious post-flood threats because it can spread rapidly if treatment is delayed. He advised anyone experiencing persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, severe headaches or signs of dehydration after coming into contact with floodwaters to seek immediate medical attention.
He also urged households to boil drinking water where necessary and use approved household water treatment products correctly before consumption, noting that access to safe drinking water remains one of the most effective ways to prevent waterborne diseases.
The retired public health analyst called for sustained public education on hygiene, proper handwashing, safe water handling and environmental sanitation to help reduce preventable illnesses.
He appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strengthen sanitation enforcement by regularly desilting drains, preventing illegal developments on waterways and strictly enforcing environmental by-laws.
Mr Tagoe also advocated tougher penalties for indiscriminate littering and illegal dumping of refuse, while calling for greater accountability from public officials responsible for environmental sanitation where negligence contributes to preventable disease outbreaks.
He further encouraged transport operators to provide waste bins in commercial vehicles and urged passengers to dispose of waste responsibly instead of throwing it onto roads or into drains.
In addition, he called on schools, churches, workplaces, transport terminals and community organisations to incorporate public health education into their regular activities.
“The responsibility belongs to all of us. Floods are not caused by rain alone. They are worsened by the choices we make every day. Keeping our surroundings clean protects our health, our families and our future,” he said.
Mr Tagoe urged the public to keep drains free of refuse, report illegal dumping, protect water sources and practise good hygiene throughout the rainy season to help minimise flooding and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.