President John Mahama has proposed building a new city outside Accra and relocating major government institutions as part of a long-term solution to the capital’s worsening flooding crisis, following deadly rains that killed at least nine people and displaced hundreds across the Greater Accra Region on Monday.
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Flood crisis pushes government to rethink Accra’s future
President Mahama said the idea of developing a new city is directly linked to efforts to reduce the pressure that is worsening flooding in Accra, where rapid population growth, uncontrolled development and overstretched drainage systems have repeatedly left communities underwater.
He explained that relocating key government departments and creating a new administrative and residential growth centre would reduce the concentration of people and infrastructure in flood-prone areas of the capital.
The proposal comes after a major aerial inspection of affected communities, where hours of torrential rain submerged homes, roads and transport hubs across Accra.
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20-year plan tied to flood prevention strategy
The President said the proposed new city would be implemented as a long-term, 20-year national project designed to ease environmental and infrastructural stress on Accra.
According to him, technical teams are already working on master plans, after which land will be demarcated for residential, commercial and institutional development outside the capital.
He added that government would provide essential infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity to support gradual relocation and settlement.
Why flooding is driving the proposal
The latest floods once again exposed how vulnerable Accra has become to extreme rainfall events, with areas such as Circle, Kaneshie, Adabraka, Madina, Adenta and Spintex heavily affected.
Transport systems collapsed as terminals were submerged, while emergency responders rescued stranded residents and motorists trapped in rising waters.
Urban planners have long warned that building on waterways, weak drainage systems and rapid urban expansion have turned Accra into a high-risk flood zone.
Government officials now believe decentralising key institutions could reduce the intensity of development pressure that contributes to recurring disasters.
What happens next
Technical teams are expected to finalise designs for the proposed city before land demarcation begins and infrastructure development is rolled out in phases.
In the meantime, emergency agencies including NADMO continue rescue and relief operations in affected communities as residents begin recovery efforts after the floods.
Authorities have also renewed calls for stricter enforcement of planning laws to prevent construction on waterways.
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