Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija-Gbawe and Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has called for a shift in Ghana's approach to flood management, urging authorities to move from disaster response to climate-resilient urban development.

Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament, the MP said recurring floods in Accra and other parts of the country demonstrate the need for a fundamentally different approach to managing urban flooding.

According to him, flooding has become a recurring challenge due to changing rainfall patterns and the manner in which communities have been developed, leaving water with limited natural pathways.

Mr. Shaib noted that communities within the Weija-Gbawe Constituency, including Wiaboman, SCC and surrounding areas, White Cross, Away, Tetegu, Oblogo, Kokroko, Borla Road, Weija, Gonse and Glefe, have repeatedly experienced flooding, resulting in damage to homes, businesses and schools.

He said government, through the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other relevant institutions, should continue to provide emergency shelter, healthcare, sanitation support, relief items and recovery assistance to affected families.

The MP also called for immediate desilting and dredging of drainage systems and waterways in vulnerable communities, listing several flood-prone areas within the constituency that require urgent attention.

Beyond emergency interventions, Mr. Shaib argued that flood management should focus on slowing, storing and safely directing water, while allowing natural absorption through the ground.

He called on the Minister responsible for Works, Housing and Water Resources and other relevant ministers to appear before Parliament and provide an update on government's immediate, medium and long-term flood mitigation strategy.

The legislator also requested information on the work of the Flood Task Force established by President John Dramani Mahama, urging that its findings and recommendations be presented to Parliament.

Mr. Shaib further urged the Works and Housing Committee and the Local Government Committee of Parliament to invite Metropolitan and Municipal Chief Executives from affected areas to present their flood prevention strategies and preparedness plans.

Addressing urban planning concerns, he called for reforms to building approval systems to incorporate climate-sensitive measures, including mandatory water impact assessments for major developments, rainwater harvesting systems, limits on excessive paving, green infiltration areas and stricter enforcement against illegal developments on waterways.

He also stressed the need to protect wetlands, floodplains, green corridors and natural drainage channels, describing them as critical components of the country's flood protection system.

According to him, Ghana must also address the increasing use of concrete and paved surfaces in urban areas by restoring vegetation, planting trees, creating green corridors and promoting permeable surfaces.

Mr. Shaib proposed the development of a comprehensive Greater Accra Flood Resilience Plan to address flooding through coordinated action involving engineers, hydrologists, environmental scientists, urban planners, local assemblies, traditional authorities and communities.

He said the proposed plan should focus on engineering and emergency preparedness, nature-based solutions, smart urban development, community stewardship and behavioural change, as well as governance, coordination and accountability.

The Weija-Gbawe MP maintained that the cost of prevention would be lower than the cost of rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure and repairing lives after disasters.

He urged Parliament to adopt a long-term approach to flood management aimed at prevention, resilience and responsible development.