Ghana’s worsening flood situation is quietly eroding economic productivity, disrupting businesses and costing lives, according to economist Prof. Peter Quartey.
His comments follow Monday’s heavy floods that hit Accra, parts of the Central Region and other communities, leaving 18 people dead and destroying property worth millions of cedis.
Speaking, Prof. Quartey said the country continues to pour money into drainage and sanitation projects without getting value for money.
“I am very worried because it looks like we are wasting money. We are not investing efficiently,” he said, questioning the scale and impact of government spending in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector.
He noted that annual investments of about ¢750 million to ¢780 million are largely donor-funded, raising concerns about sustainability and national commitment.
“So we are not really investing in waste management and sanitation. Even the little we invest is inefficient,” he added.
Prof. Quartey pointed to recent drainage projects as examples of poor execution and weak oversight.
“Let me give you a typical example. Recently, funds were allocated for dredging and storm drains. If you drive from Weija to Kasoa near the West Hills Mall junction, you will see newly constructed drains, yet they are already choked. Water is still running on the streets. We are investing money but getting nothing out of it,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as neglect in waste management systems and weak enforcement of sanitation contracts.
“Waste management is not being prioritised. I heard that for over eight months, a contract to sweep the streets has not been renewed. This inaction is costing us and causing loss of productivity,” he said.
According to him, flooding and poor infrastructure are having a direct impact on daily economic activity, from transport delays to business losses.
“People spend hours in traffic because of poor roads and flooding. We are burning fuel, losing time, and reducing productivity. Businesses are also affected,” he noted.
He added that the ripple effects extend across supply chains and household incomes.
“Workers arrive at work exhausted, productivity drops, and businesses suffer losses. Raw materials cannot move, goods cannot be transported, and costs go up,” he said.
Beyond the economic toll, Prof. Quartey highlighted psychological strain and loss of life as major consequences of the recurring floods.
“The psychological cost, the loss of human lives — it is all significant. Yet every year, we repeat the same mistakes,” he said.
He also questioned weak enforcement of sanitation laws, arguing that encroachment on waterways often goes unpunished.
“If people block waterways and get away with it, then we are not serious. If I had my way, I would consider stronger leadership structures at the local level to enforce discipline,” he added.