As Ghana steps up efforts to combat climate change, the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project is reshaping parts of the capital upgrading drains, cleaning waterways, and improving living conditions in flood-prone communities like Nima, Alajo, and Akweteman.
However, just a few kilometers away in Odawna, residents say they have been forgotten. Recurrent floods and worsening heatwaves continue to destroy lives and livelihoods, exposing a widening gap in Ghana’s climate resilience drive.
GARID Brings Relief But Not Everywhere
In areas such as Nima and Alajo, GARID’s impact is visible. New concrete drains, raised walkways, and better waste management have reduced waterlogging and made neighborhoods safer.
The World Bank and Ghana’s Ministry of Works and Housing support the project, which seeks to protect vulnerable urban communities from flooding and other climate shocks.
But in Odawna, the contrast is severe. Drone footage from recent floods shows submerged homes, damaged clinics, and waste-filled drains. More than 3,000 residents were displaced this year alone after torrential rains hit the community.
“It’s not just water it’s a killer,” one resident said, recounting how two people drowned nearby during a flood.
After the Floods Comes the Heat
When the rains stop, residents face another crisis intense heat. “It’s like an oven inside. I can’t sleep,” said Seth Kusi, who lives in a metal kiosk.
Experts warn that Odawna’s lack of vegetation and poor housing design trap heat, creating dangerous “urban heat islands.” Dr. Ebenezer Amankwah of the University of Ghana found that nighttime temperatures in Odawna can be up to 6°C higher than the national average, worsening dehydration and illness.
“When floodwaters damage clinics and heat shuts down equipment, healthcare collapses,” Dr. Amankwah said. “We must climate-proof these areas.”
Health and Survival in Crisis
Flooding has already crippled Odawna’s clinics. Videos show soaked medical equipment and patients waiting outside in sweltering heat.
Despite the odds, residents are taking small steps clearing drains, raising their beds, and organizing clean-ups. Yet, their efforts can’t match the scale of the problem.
“We’ve advised residents to move to safer areas and begun dredging the Odaw River,” said NADMO’s Regional Director, Dennis Nartey.
Government’s Promise and the Way Forward
Officials say change is coming. EPA CEO Prof. Nana Ama Klutse urged communities to help reduce urban heat by planting trees and using less glass in buildings. The Ministry of Works and Housing confirmed ongoing dredging of the Odaw River to improve water flow.
Experts agree that extending GARID’s interventions to Odawna and similar areas could save lives and reduce inequality in climate resilience.
Amid hardship, hope remains. Youth groups are leading clean-ups, and women are rebuilding shops. “The GARID project shows change is possible,” said one volunteer. “We just need it to reach everyone.”
