As June 3rd approaches, memories of the devastating 2015 Accra flood and explosion begin to surface once again. That tragic night — a result of hours of rainfall, clogged drains, and a fire at a GOIL fuel station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle — claimed more than 150 lives and injured countless others.
It wasn’t just a natural disaster. It was a man-made tragedy, fueled by decades of poor planning, irresponsible waste disposal, and an overstretched drainage system. The question now is simple: Ten years on, how far have we come?
The Progress: What’s Changed Since 2015?
Following the disaster, government and development partners pledged to tackle the root causes of urban flooding. Today, some of those promises are beginning to take shape:
The GARID Project (Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development)
Backed by a $150 million World Bank facility, GARID is one of the largest flood-control investments in Ghana’s history. The project focuses on:
- Expanding and repairing the Odaw drainage basin
- Building storm drains in flood-prone communities like Kaneshie and Nima
- Constructing detention ponds to reduce surface runoff
- Establishing an early flood warning system for Accra
- Improving solid waste systems, including new landfill and transfer sites
Seventeen Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMAs) have also received over GH¢8 million to desilt drains and implement better sanitation measures in flood-risk zones.
The Problem: Behavior Still Blocking the Flow
Despite the investments, the Ghana Hydrological Authority (GHA) and sanitation experts warn that infrastructure alone won’t solve the problem.
The Drain is Not a Bin
Improper waste disposal is still rampant. Plastics, food waste, and construction debris continue to choke gutters, especially in densely populated communities. Accra generates an estimated 3,000 tonnes of waste daily, and only a fraction is properly managed.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited and other waste management groups continue to call for stricter enforcement and more environmental education — because until we change our habits, the risk remains high.
So, Could It Happen Again?
In short: Yes.
Ghana is making progress — but we’re racing against climate change, rapid urbanization, and years of infrastructural neglect. Every rainy season tests our systems, and many communities still flood with even moderate rainfall.
Experts warn that unless public behavior aligns with ongoing infrastructure improvements, disasters like June 3rd remain dangerously possible.
Where Do We Go From Here?
- Keep drains clean: It starts with individuals. Don’t dump, don’t build on waterways, and hold others accountable.
- Push for policy: Urban planning laws must be enforced. Flood zones must be protected.
- Support green initiatives: Recycling, proper waste sorting, and sustainable drainage can help reduce the load on existing systems.
Final Word: Memory Must Fuel Change
The June 3rd disaster should never be a footnote in Ghana’s history — it should be a turning point. As we remember the lives lost, let’s not wait for another flood to remind us of what went wrong.
Let June 3rd be a date that drives action, not just reflection.