Ghana IntelBrief
Back to Latest Briefings
Arthur Kennedy Writes: Rains, flood and sanitation
July 12, 2026
AI-Enhanced

Arthur Kennedy Writes: Rains, flood and sanitation

Money
Policy
Opportunity
Growth

Key Points

  • Recent severe floods in Ghana have exposed the nation's persistent and critical sanitation crisis, leading to deaths and property destruction.
  • The article criticizes the government's recurrent, ineffective clean-up exercises and the lack of concrete long-term drainage plans, policies, and accountability for officials.
  • Poor sanitation costs Ghana an estimated $290 million (1.6% of GDP) annually, excluding health costs like malaria and cholera, with only 25% of Ghanaians having access to good sanitation.
  • The author highlights systemic issues including building in drainage plains, a significant cut in the sanitation budget by the current government, and a failure to learn from past disasters.
  • It calls for fundamental changes: adequate sanitation budgets, waste-to-energy initiatives, holding incompetent officials accountable, and implementing policies like mandatory property insurance.

Why This Matters

This article highlights a critical, recurring national crisis with severe economic, social, and health implications for Ghana. It underscores the urgent need for robust policy implementation, accountability, and sustainable waste management strategies to prevent future disasters and improve public welfare, which directly impacts national development and citizen well-being.

Read Full Article

View original source

Related Articles

Two Nigerians arrested over alleged murder of compatriot in Tamale

July 12, 2026

Two Nigerians arrested over alleged murder of compatriot in Tamale
  • Two Nigerian nationals, Daniel Victor Eze and David Oko Ewa, were arrested near the Ghana-Togo border in Tatale.
  • They are suspects in the alleged murder of fellow Nigerian, Nkemujika Uzorchuku Eze, whose body was found in his Tamale residence.
  • The deceased had a deep cut wound and his bedroom was ransacked; a wooden pestle was recovered as a potential weapon.
  • Suspects allegedly confessed to conspiring to kill the victim over a dispute concerning proceeds from alleged internet fraud activities.
  • Several stolen items, including electronics and jewelry, were recovered from the suspects, who are set to appear in court on July 13, 2026.
Read full briefing

Andrew Mercer urges unity after Sekondi NPP constituency elections

July 12, 2026

Andrew Mercer urges unity after Sekondi NPP constituency elections
  • Former Sekondi MP Andrew Egyapa Mercer congratulated the newly elected NPP constituency executives.
  • He urged the new executives to unite members and strengthen the party ahead of the 2028 general elections.
  • Mercer emphasized that the NPP's strength is rooted in the commitment and hard work of its grassroots supporters.
  • He called for reconciliation, mobilization, and consolidation post-internal contest to work towards a common goal.
  • The former MP expressed optimism about reclaiming the Sekondi parliamentary seat with an even bigger margin in 2028.
Read full briefing

Abuakwa South MP condemns Kyebi Zongo incident involving youth and military personnel

July 12, 2026

Abuakwa South MP condemns Kyebi Zongo incident involving youth and military personnel
  • The MP for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, condemned a reported confrontation between youth and military personnel at Kyebi Zongo.
  • The incident, which occurred on July 11, 2026, resulted in a young man sustaining gunshot injuries.
  • The MP described the incident as unfortunate and stressed that acts of violence threatening residents' safety are unacceptable.
  • The injured young man is receiving medical treatment at Kyebi Government Hospital, and the MP wished him a speedy recovery.
  • Dr Agyemang urged residents to remain calm, called for a thorough and impartial investigation by security authorities, and committed to engaging stakeholders to maintain peace.
Read full briefing