Stern warning delivered during Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Accra

ACCRA, Ghana - President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stark warning to individuals constructing illegal buildings in waterways, blaming the practice for recent devastating floods in communities across Ghana.

Speaking at the National Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Accra on Monday, the President condemned what he described as "reckless disregard for planning regulations and environmental safety" that has led to encroachment on critical water retention areas and designated Ramseyer sites.

"This must stop!" President Mahama declared to the gathering. "We will not allow a few selfish individuals to endanger the lives and livelihoods of countless others."

The President announced immediate plans to demolish all illegal structures obstructing waterways, emphasizing the government's commitment to enforcing existing laws and protecting the broader community's interests.

"Those structures will be pulled down," he stated firmly. "The law will be enforced, and those who flout it will face the consequences."

President Mahama (Right) and National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu (Left)

Ghana has faced recurring flooding issues during rainy seasons, with experts pointing to improper urban planning and illegal construction in flood-prone areas as significant contributing factors. The flooding has resulted in loss of lives, displacement of residents, and extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

Environmental activists have long called for stricter enforcement of building codes and zoning regulations to address the root causes of flooding in urban areas.

The President's announcement signals a potential turning point in the government's approach to illegal structures, which have proliferated in many urban centres despite existing regulations prohibiting construction in waterways.

Local authorities are expected to begin enforcement actions in the coming weeks, though details regarding the specific areas targeted and the timeline for demolitions have not yet been released.