Flood risks are increasing in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. It is estimated that close to $3.2 billion worth of economic assets are at risk of flooding in the region. This figure is likely to quadruple by 2050 if no new mitigation measures are taken.
Lives and livelihoods are also at high risk. On June 3, 2015, a devastating flood caused 150 deaths and affected more than 50,000 people in the region. This disaster heightened awareness of the growing flooding and climate risks in the country. It was also a wake-up call for lasting solutions for flood risk management in the Greater Accra Region.
In the aftermath of the 2015 flood, the World Bank supported various studies to inform evidence-based decision making for strengthening urban resilience in Greater Accra, bringing together key stakeholders from many ministries, departments, and municipalities over a course of two years (2016-2018). The analytical work informed the design of Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) project. Supported by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), this multi-phase, multi-sectoral, and integrated operation is providing $200 million in the first phase to finance a set of actions to improve flood resilience, including:
- Structural drainage infrastructure improvements and nature-based flood mitigation measures, as well as modernization of the existing flood forecasting, warning, and emergency response system;
- Reduction of solid waste entering primary and secondary tributaries through community-based solid waste management, capping of dumps, and improvements in final solid waste disposal capacity;
- Provision of flood resilient infrastructure and basic services in targeted low-income communities through participatory urban upgrading; and
- Improvements in metropolitan planning and coordination, storm water regulation and flood zoning, as well as local governments’ operation and maintenance capacity.
Watch the video to learn more.
- Press release: World Bank Supports Ghana to Improve Flood Resilience for 2.5 Million People
- Report: Enhancing Urban Resilience in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area
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