According to the Assembly, the affected area has been cordoned off to prevent people from entering the site, while additional safety measures have been recommended to minimise the risk of falling materials.

Speaking at a press conference, the Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Michael Mensah, said the Assembly inspected the building alongside the Engineering Council and found no indication that the structure was at risk of collapsing.

He stressed that the area where the blocks fell had been restricted and that no one was present at the time to sustain injuries.

Dr. Mensah said the Assembly had advised the contractor to limit further block work to a height of one metre and allow the concrete to cure properly before proceeding with additional construction.

The contractor has also been advised to install safety nets around the building, particularly on the affected side, to prevent falling materials from injuring people or damaging nearby properties.

The building is not going to come down, and there’s hoarding around the building. So that place was actually restricted, where the blocks actually landed,” he said.

He urged the public not to panic, assuring residents, businesses and commuters in the area that they could continue with their normal activities.

So the public can be assured that there’s no fear at all. They can go and do their business, and nobody will be affected,” he added.

Speaking during a UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Akka Kappa Ghana LTD. webinar on “Building Trust in Ghana’s Real Estate Market: The Role of the Real Estate Agency Council (REAC), Compliance Requirements, and Enforcement”, the Head of Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance at REAC, David Pappoe, explained that administrative sanctions included a fine of 1,000 penalty units, which he put at GH¢12,000, for such breaches as failing to comply with requirements or display a certificate or licence in an office.

For criminal offences such as operating or advertising without a license, falsifying documents, and accepting cash payments, Pappoe said the penalties ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 penalty units or five to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Section 22 says that no person must provide real estate services as a broker or agent, or engage in any transaction without a license from REAC. So, that means when you operate without a license, it’s a criminal offense”, Pappoe remarked.

He added, “It is a cashless sector now for real estate. Not even GHS1 must be taken in the form of cash…When you accept cash, then it means you are in breach of the Act”.

He, therefore, urged members of the public to verify the licence status of real estate practitioners before engaging them, and to report suspicious/cash transactions to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and issues involving clients, developers, brokers, or agents to REAC.

Understanding Act 1047 and REAC’s regulatory mandate

Pappoe explained that Parliament enacted the Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1047) to regulate real estate practice and commercial real estate transactions, including the sale, purchase, rental and leasing of property. The law also established REAC as the statutory regulator of the sector.

He said the council’s mandate includes licensing and registering practitioners, maintaining a national register of real estate operators, publishing lists of licensed practitioners in good standing, setting professional standards, inspecting premises, and enforcing discipline across the industry.

The Act regulates developers, brokerage firms, brokers, agents, property managers, marketers, salespersons and any individual providing real estate services.

On compliance obligations, he stated that all practitioners must use REAC-issued forms, maintain a cashless operating environment, keep separate client accounts, preserve records for at least five years, submit quarterly transaction reports and annual audited accounts, and obtain professional indemnity cover.

Support from industry stakeholders

A lawyer at Legal Ink in association with Clyde & Co, Ethel Elizabeth Abruquah, agreed that stronger regulation is critical to improving confidence in Ghana’s property market and protecting buyers from fraudulent transactions. She encouraged prospective property purchasers to retain lawyers and undertake extensive due diligence before committing funds.

Before committing to acquiring property in Ghana, it is very important to make your own independent verifications,” she said, adding that buyers should verify ownership, conduct searches at the Lands Commission, and undertake additional checks where necessary.

On anti-money laundering obligations, she explained that brokers, agents and lawyers are designated accountable institutions under Ghana’s anti-money laundering framework and must report suspicious transactions, conduct customer verification and comply with record-keeping requirements.

For his part, Director of Akka Kappa LTD., Edoardo Castagna, remarked that “The introduction of REAC has been extremely important,” describing it as a major step towards professionalising the industry. He said the Council was helping to establish baseline standards, introduce accountability, and distinguish licensed professionals from informal operators.

Castagna, however, noted that trust challenges- a major issue in the property market, often stem from information asymmetry, difficulties verifying property ownership, and the continued presence of informal operators.

He was optimistic that greater public awareness of REAC’s role would help sanitise the sector and improve confidence among investors, buyers and tenants.

The two panellists urged the public to undertake proper due diligence, work only with licensed practitioners and make use of available legal and regulatory channels when concerns arise.

From regulation to implementation

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of REAC, Emmanuel Jeffrey, said the Council was working to strengthen implementation of the Act through licensing, collaboration with other institutions, public education, and increased regulatory oversight.

He identified licensing as a key priority because it enabled the Council to establish a database of people operating in the sector.

The most important thing for me is the licensing,” he said, explaining that the objective was to ensure that everyone practising real estate in the country was registered and that the Council had data on practitioners.

Jeffrey also highlighted the Council’s collaboration with institutions including the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Bank of Ghana, Lands Commission, Ghana Revenue Authority and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with the Act.

We don’t work in isolation. We work in collaboration with institutional bodies to ensure the right thing is done”.

The Council is also taking steps to address unregistered operators advertising properties, as well as working with assemblies and other stakeholders on measures to ensure compliance with the Act.

Jeffrey assured the public that the Council will continue its sensitisation efforts to promote awareness of the Real Estate Act, and entreated the public to engage with only REAC-licensed agents, brokers, and developers.

The webinar, moderated by Michael Taabavi, Trade and Investment Advisor for Infrastructure and Energy at the UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, also explored how practitioners can obtain REAC licences, the different licensing routes and requirements; Ghana’s Anti-Money Laundering Act and its relationship with the Real Estate Act; and the Council’s code of conduct and ethics.

Another 30 per cent of the population remain unable to access housing even with government subsidies, highlighting the scale of Ghana’s housing affordability challenge.

The disclosure was contained in a joint statement by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to mark World Habitat Day 2026, celebrated under the theme, “Adequate Housing for All.”

The two ministries attributed the housing challenge to high land prices, rising construction and infrastructure costs, as well as limited access to affordable housing finance.

These realities underscore the need for deliberate interventions to make housing more accessible and affordable to all,” the ministries stated.

Mortgage support

To improve access to homeownership, the government is implementing the National Mortgage Scheme in partnership with the National Housing Fund and Republic Bank.

Under the scheme, mortgage financing is available at an interest rate of approximately 8.4 per cent per annum, with repayment periods of up to 20 years.

The ministries said the initiative was designed to provide more Ghanaians, particularly those excluded from traditional mortgage markets, with an opportunity to own decent homes.

Broader housing interventions

Beyond mortgage financing, the government is pursuing the National Urban Policy and Implementation Plan 2026–2035 and the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy and Implementation Plan 2026–2035.

The initiatives are intended to address broader housing and urban development challenges, including the conditions in underserved communities.

The ministries stressed that adequate housing went beyond the construction of housing units and required access to basic services and infrastructure.

These include potable water, sanitation, roads, electricity, drainage and public spaces.

Government remains committed to expanding access to decent, affordable and sustainable housing throughout the country,” the ministries stated.

The intervention covers seven road projects, including the Doninga–Kanjarga, Doninga–Siniensi, Uwasi–Fumbisi, Kanjarga–Fumbisi, Nyambisa, and Wiesi–Fumbisi roads.

According to the Office of the MP, the intervention is intended to provide immediate relief to communities while efforts continue to secure more comprehensive government-funded road projects for the constituency.

The largest allocation of GH¢100,000 has been assigned to the Kanjarga–Fumbisi Road, while GH¢50,000 each has been allocated to the Doninga–Kanjarga, Doninga–Siniensi and Wiesi–Fumbisi roads.

The Uwasi–Fumbisi Road has been allocated a further GH¢40,000, while GH¢30,000 has been earmarked for the Nyambisa Road and Bridge.

The release also includes an earlier GH¢50,000 allocation for emergency works on sections of the Uwasi–Fumbisi and Zamsa–Fumbisi roads.

Road conditions

The intervention comes amid longstanding concerns over the condition of roads in Builsa South.

The Builsa South District Assembly’s 2024 composite budget identified poor road surfaces, inadequate road infrastructure, including roads, bridges and culverts, and difficulty accessing some roads during the rainy season as key challenges facing the district’s road network. The Assembly also identified several of the roads covered by the current intervention, including the Fumbisi–Kanjarga–Doninga, Fumbisi–Wiesi–Gbedembilisi, Fumbisi–Nadema–Uwasi and Uwasi–Zamsa roads.

The condition of the wider road network has also generated public concern this year. In February 2026, youth in Builsa South demonstrated over the condition and delayed completion of the Chuchuliga–Sandema–Fumbisi–Wiesi road network, saying the situation was affecting transportation, livelihoods and access to services.

There has, however, been movement on parts of the broader road network. In April 2026, Dr. Apaak inspected ongoing construction on the Gbedema–Wiaga stretch and said work had resumed on sections of the larger route connecting Chuchuliga, Sandema, Fumbisi and Wiesi. The Ghana News Agency reported that some portions remained untarred while previously tarred sections had deteriorated into potholes.

A July 2026 update from the Ministry of Roads and Highways said the partial reconstruction of the Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Tumu Road, including the Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Sandema section, was 25 per cent complete. It also reported that primer seal works had largely been completed on 7.5 kilometres and first seal works on 3.5 kilometres of the Chuchuliga–Sandema Road.

Against this background, the MP’s latest allocation is focused on immediate maintenance and rehabilitation of selected roads within Builsa South rather than replacing the need for larger road projects.

Dr Apaak explains intervention

Dr. Apaak said his decision followed concerns raised by residents, farmers, traders and transport operators about the deteriorating condition of the roads.

During my visit to the constituency, I saw firsthand the difficulties residents, farmers, and traders go through on these roads, and I listened carefully to their concerns. Good roads are essential for development. They connect our people to opportunities, markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.”

He said although major road projects remained the responsibility of central government agencies, available resources could be used to address some immediate challenges.

While major road projects remain the responsibility of central government agencies, I believe it is important to utilize available resources to address some of the immediate challenges facing our communities. These interventions demonstrate my commitment to improving accessibility and supporting the socio-economic development of Builsa South.”

The MP said he would continue engaging the government, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ghana Highway Authority, Department of Feeder Roads and other relevant stakeholders to secure more comprehensive and sustainable road infrastructure for the constituency.

According to his office, Dr Apaak is also pressing the contractor working on the Builsa South section of the Chuchuliga–Sandema–Wiaga–Fumbisi–Wiesi road to accelerate work.

His office further said the Doninga–Sandema Road, which it described as being in very poor condition, is expected to see work soon, with a contractor expected to be on site.

Dr. Apaak is also encouraging the Minister for Roads and Highways to rehabilitate feeder roads across Builsa South.

The MP’s office expressed appreciation to traditional authorities, assembly members, community leaders, transport operators and residents for their cooperation and support toward improving infrastructure in the constituency.

Engineer Ahlidza said the  project is being structured around a two-year construction period, with physical works expected to commence in January 2027 following the completion of the procurement and contractor selection processes.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 15, Engineer Ahlidza disclosed that the procurement process for the contractors has already commenced, with firms being invited to express their interest in undertaking the major road project.

He explained that the selection process will be conducted in two stages and will involve international competitive procurement to ensure that qualified firms are selected for the project.

We are working with a two-year construction period starting at the end of this year. We have started the procurement process by requesting for firms to express interest which is an international competitive process but we will do that in two stages.

“We expect to close this at the end of the year so that the contractors can start working in January 2027 and complete by December 2028.”

Engineer Ahlidza’s timeline means that, barring significant delays in the procurement and construction processes, motorists could begin using the completed expressway by the end of 2028.

The announcement comes a day after the official right-of-way handing-over ceremony for the project was held on Monday, September 14.

The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is expected to significantly transform road transportation between the two major cities and improve connectivity along one of Ghana’s busiest economic corridors.

The 175.6-kilometre road project is also expected to improve the movement of people and goods, reduce travel times and enhance road safety for motorists who regularly use the Accra-Kumasi route.

According to details provided on the project, the expressway will feature eight grade-separated interchanges, 11 vehicle overpasses and 55 mainline bridges.

In a press statement issued on September 10, 2026, the Authority said port congestion alone is not sufficient justification for the price increase, stressing that several operational and commercial factors determine the cost of bringing clinker and cement through the port.

GPHA was reacting to a press release by the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG), which attributed the price hikes to congestion at Tema.

According to GPHA, the Port Authority has a responsibility to ensure safe and hygienic operations, particularly by separating food-related cargo such as rice and wheat from cement and clinker operations.

The handling of food-related cargo such as rice and wheat must be properly separated from cement and clinker operations. This consideration is critical in determining the allocation and use of berths,” Management stated.

The Authority disclosed that it undertook strategic dredging at the bulk cargo section of the Port in anticipation of larger vessels and increased volumes, and cement companies were informed in advance to plan their vessel arrivals.

The cement industry is also a direct beneficiary of the recently completed dredging works. Berth 13 now provides depths of up to 14 metres, while Berth 14 provides up to 12 metres, creating an opportunity for cement companies to receive larger vessels and benefit from economies of scale,” the statement said.

GPHA explained that Terminals 1 and 2 are multipurpose terminals handling food products, steel and general cargo, and for hygiene and safety reasons, cement and clinker cannot be mingled with food cargo. To facilitate cement operations, Berths 3, 13 and 14 have been designated as common-user berths for such cargo and cannot be dedicated to one importer.

The Authority also pointed to cargo evacuation challenges as a major cause of delays.

A vessel carrying approximately 40,000 tonnes of clinker may rely on a limited number of trucks to transport the cargo to factories located outside the port. Where trucks are inadequate or delayed by traffic, discharge operations are slowed, resulting in vessels occupying berths for extended periods – sometimes seven to days,” GPHA noted.

“Such prolonged berth occupancy affects the availability of berths for other vessels and places additional pressure on port operations.”

On the way forward, GPHA said it is modernising cement and clinker handling at Tema, moving away from the traditional reliance on grabs and hoppers.

We therefore entreat all cement companies to embrace and invest in the new handling technology as it is introduced,” the Authority appealed.

GPHA stressed that port efficiency is a shared responsibility and urged stakeholders to look at the full logistics chain.

GPHA therefore stresses that port efficiency is a shared responsibility, requiring proper vessel planning, adequate trucking capacity, efficient discharge, adoption of modern handling technology and timely evacuation of cargo.”

“The Authority accordingly encourages stakeholders and the public to consider the entire logistics and supply chain, including vessel planning, discharge efficiency, trucking, factory location, port choice and other commercial cost factors, rather than attributing cement price increases solely to port congestion.”

The Authority added that cement and clinker are also handled at the Port of Takoradi, and manufacturers should consider the most efficient combination of ports, vessel sizes and inland transportation.

GPHA reaffirmed its commitment to working with the cement industry to improve berth utilisation and overall efficiency of Ghana’s ports.

Held under the theme “A Decade of Impact: Bridging Continents, Building Futures”, the event brought together diplomatic representatives, political leaders, business executives and stakeholders from the property, banking, legal, investment and lifestyle sectors.

The launch marked ten years of connecting Ghana with its global diaspora and international investment community, while promoting transparency, professional guidance and trusted access to Ghana’s property and investment market.

HIGH COMMISSIONER COMMENDS A DECADE OF RESILIENCE AND IMPACT

Delivering the keynote address, Her Excellency Sabah Zita Benson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, congratulated co-founders Anna and Victoria Agyekum on their resilience, dedication and impact.

She commended them for developing the Expo into an established international platform that deepens engagement between Ghana and its diaspora. She also said the Expo reflects the priorities of the Government of Ghana under His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, particularly its recognition of the diaspora as a partner in investment, knowledge-sharing, innovation and national development – not simply as a source of remittances.

A TRUSTED BRIDGE BETWEEN GHANA AND ITS DIASPORA

Founded in London in 2016 and developed into a full-scale Expo in 2017, the platform launched in Atlanta in 2018, continued online during the COVID-19 pandemic, introduced its Accra edition in 2023 and returned to the United States with an edition in Washington, DC, in 2024.

The Expo now brings together developers, banks, mortgage providers, legal professionals, investment specialists, government agencies and businesses across tourism, trade, technology and lifestyle. Its connections have helped facilitate more than US$100 million in property transactions and provided diaspora investors with credible information and direct access to opportunities in Ghana.

PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT FOR THE EXPO’S MISSION

Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour Member of Parliament for Clapham and Brixton Hill, described the Ghana Property & Lifestyle Expo as “a fantastic organisation” that has spent the past decade promoting Ghanaian property and investment opportunities.

Kwaku Mensah, Executive Director of Premier Sports Talent and a FIFA-licensed football agent, congratulated Anna and Victoria Agyekum on the Expo’s growth and international expansion, praising their longstanding dedication and determination.

Also in attendance was Thomas Chamberlayne, Chief Marketing Manager at Hutchison Property Group (UK) Limited, alongside representatives from the diplomatic, property, banking, legal, investment, business and lifestyle communities.

CELEBRATING A DECADE OF PURPOSE

Reflecting on the milestone, co-founders Anna and Victoria Agyekum said:

Reaching our 10th anniversary is an incredibly proud and significant moment for us. What began as a vision to create a trusted bridge between Ghana and the diaspora has grown into an international platform that continues to open doors, build relationships and connect people with credible property and investment opportunities.

“This milestone is not ours alone. It belongs to every sponsor, partner, exhibitor, speaker, institution and attendee who has believed in the vision and supported the Expo throughout its journey.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Her Excellency Sabah Zita Benson and the entire team at the Ghana High Commission for their warm welcome, invaluable support and collaboration in making the launch such a memorable occasion. As we enter our tenth year, our commitment to Ghana, the diaspora and responsible investment remains as strong as ever.”

The flagship 10th anniversary London Expo will take place on 16 and 17 October 2026 at the Business Design Centre in Islington. The two-day event will offer access to property developers, financial institutions, mortgage providers, legal professionals, investment specialists and lifestyle businesses, alongside expert presentations, panel discussions and guidance on property acquisition, land ownership, finance, legal processes and investment in Ghana.

The celebrations will continue with the Accra edition on 18 and 19 December 2026 at the Alisa Hotel.

SPONSORS AND EVENT PARTNERS

The 10th anniversary launch reception was sponsored by Clifton Homes and On Point Property Management.

Amma Mensah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Reign Rum, was the drinks sponsor, with Toni Osoba of Amandla Wine serving as wine sponsor.

Koal Pot Catering was the official catering partner.

The organisers thanked all sponsors and partners for supporting the launch.

He warned that the government would not tolerate delays in road projects that have already been awarded, particularly where contractors fail to mobilise to site and deliver on their commitments.

Speaking during a site inspection of the Wa–Bulenga–Yaala Road, the minister expressed concern over the contractor’s poor performance and failure to return to site for more than a year, despite being awarded the contract in 2024.

He therefore instructed the contractor to resume work immediately and take steps to ensure the project is completed within the agreed timeframe.

“We have no appetite for substandard work.”

The latest Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) showed that annual building cost inflation increased from 2.7 per cent in May to 3.1 per cent in June.

However, construction costs eased during the month, with the month-on-month inflation rate declining by 0.1 per cent in June from 1.4 per cent in May.

The PBCI measures changes in the cost of key construction inputs, including materials, labour and plant, using 2023 as the base year. The index is used by developers, contractors, investors and policymakers to monitor cost movements and guide contract pricing and investment decisions.

Cost pressures

The June rate represented a major slowdown from the 18.1 per cent recorded in June 2025, continuing a decline in building cost inflation over the past year.

Since February 2026, annual building cost inflation had remained within a narrow range before the slight increase recorded in June, indicating relatively stable cost conditions in the construction sector.

Dr Iddrisu said the slowdown in inflation had provided a more predictable environment for construction planning and investment.

“Building inflation has slowed sharply, from 18.1 per cent in June 2025 to 3.1 per cent in June 2026.

Although it rose slightly from 2.7 per cent in May, building costs are increasing far more slowly than a year ago, supporting better planning and investment,” the Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, said.

Material impact

Construction materials remained the biggest contributor to the increase in building cost inflation during the period.

The GSS said materials inflation increased to 3.9 per cent in June from 3.5 per cent in May and accounted for 96 per cent of the headline building inflation rate.

Plant inflation also recorded a sharp increase, rising to 16.0 per cent in June from 9.8 per cent in May, while labour inflation continued to decline, moving from negative 2.0 per cent to negative 2.6 per cent.

The movement in the three major components showed that while material and equipment costs continued to put pressure on construction expenses, lower labour costs helped to reduce the overall impact.

Building inflation in June 2026 was driven mainly by construction materials. Plant inflation accelerated sharply to 16.0 per cent, while labour inflation declined further to negative 2.6 per cent, helping to moderate overall building cost pressures,” the Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, said.

Input prices

Among the 23 sub-groups tracked under the PBCI, plumbing recorded the highest annual inflation rate at 23.9 per cent, followed by roofing sheets at 21.4 per cent and small tools at 19.7 per cent.

Cement recorded the lowest inflation rate at negative 13.0 per cent, while steel prices declined by 8.6 per cent during the period.

The GSS said the fall in cement and steel prices made the biggest negative contribution to building cost inflation and helped to limit the overall increase in construction costs.

Electrical works recorded the largest contribution to the increase in the index, followed by metalwork, glazing, plumbing and tiles.

Fourteen of the 23 sub-groups recorded inflation rates above the national average of 3.1 per cent, showing that price pressures remained across several areas of construction despite the overall moderation.

The lower inflation environment could support better budgeting for developers, contractors and businesses undertaking construction projects, as costs become easier to forecast compared with the previous year.

For households, the slower pace of cost increases could also provide some relief when planning building and renovation projects, although prices of some inputs, including plumbing materials and roofing sheets, remained elevated.

Dr Iddrisu said the current cost environment provided an opportunity for stakeholders to plan  projects while monitoring movements in key inputs.

The June figures present an opportunity for action. Government can accelerate priority infrastructure projects while inflation remains relatively low.

Businesses should strengthen procurement planning and secure competitive contracts.

Households can plan construction more confidently while keeping a close watch on building material prices,” the Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, said.

The latest PBCI figures showed that while construction costs continued to rise annually, the pace of growth had slowed considerably compared with 2025.

Lower labour costs and declining prices for cement and steel helped to contain overall inflation, although higher plant costs and selected material prices remained areas of concern for construction businesses.

Every rainy season, Accra asks the same question:

Why do we keep flooding?

The answers are usually predictable.

The drains are choked.

Buildings have been constructed on waterways.

The rainfall was unusually heavy.

Waste management failed.

The sea level was high.

Every one of these explanations is true.

Yet none of them is the real answer.

The real answer is that flooding is rarely caused by a single storm. It is the accumulated consequence of decades of disconnected decisions.

One wetland is filled.

One drainage channel is neglected.

One building permit is issued without considering future runoff.

One refuse dump blocks a culvert.

One maintenance budget is postponed.

One illegal structure is overlooked.

None of these decisions appears capable of flooding a city.

But cities remember.

Every decision leaves behind consequences that accumulate over time. Eventually, the next heavy rainfall simply reveals what the city has been quietly remembering for years.

Flooding is not merely a weather event.

It is accumulated history becoming visible.

Perhaps this leads us to a broader principle:

Disasters are accumulated discontinuity becoming visible.

By the time floodwaters enter homes and businesses, the real causes have already been developing for years, sometimes decades.

The flood is simply the day they become impossible to ignore.

This changes how we think about resilience.

We tend to see infrastructure as roads, drains, bridges, and culverts.

But infrastructure also includes something less visible.

Memory.

A city that cannot remember where water once flowed is destined to repeat the same mistakes.

A city that cannot connect today’s construction with tomorrow’s flood is operating without continuity.

This is where a different future becomes possible.

Imagine if Accra possessed an Urban Continuity Intelligence Layer.

Instead of merely collecting data, the city would continuously preserve, connect, and learn from its own experience.

It would know every drain and its maintenance history.

Every culvert and its capacity.

Every floodplain and every encroachment.

Every building permit issued within each watershed.

Every flood event. Every rainfall pattern. Every maintenance delay. Every citizen report.

The city would no longer ask:

“Why did this neighbourhood flood today?”

Instead, it would ask:

“Which decisions over the past twenty years produced today’s flood?”

And even more importantly:

“Which decisions we make today will prevent flooding ten years from now?”

That is the difference between reacting and learning.

Between information and intelligence.

Between data and continuity.

Now consider the economics.

Every flood destroys more than roads and buildings.

It destroys accumulated capital.

Businesses lose inventory.

Families lose savings.

Workers lose income.

Governments divert scarce resources from development to emergency response.

Insurance costs increase.

Investment confidence declines.

Infrastructure must be rebuilt instead of expanded.

The economic cost of flooding is not the rain.

It is the price society pays for forgetting.

Continuity, therefore, is not merely an engineering principle.

It is an economic asset.

Imagine a future where every development application automatically asks:

“What does the city’s accumulated experience tell us about building here?”

Every road project would consult decades of drainage history.

Every housing estate would understand how rainfall patterns have evolved.

Every maintenance team would know which drains repeatedly fail before the rainy season begins.

This is more than digital government.

It is government with memory.

Today, cities around the world are investing heavily in sensors, drones, satellites, and artificial intelligence.

These technologies are valuable.

But technology without continuity is simply faster forgetting.

Artificial intelligence can analyse enormous amounts of data.

Only continuity allows it to understand how today’s conditions emerged from yesterday’s decisions.

Intelligence without memory is temporary.

Continuity transforms memory into judgment.

Accra’s flooding therefore teaches a lesson far greater than flood management.

Many of society’s greatest challenges are not failures of technology.

They are failures of continuity.

Traffic congestion. Healthcare. Education. Urban planning. Environmental protection. Public finance.

Even national security.

Each reflects the accumulated consequences of disconnected decisions over time.

Cities become truly intelligent not when they collect more data, but when they preserve, connect, and learn from their own experience.

Perhaps the question is no longer:

“How do we stop flooding?”

Perhaps the better question is:

“How do we build cities that remember?”

Because cities, like people and organizations, become wiser through continuity.

A city that remembers floods less.

A nation that remembers prospers more.

And perhaps the greatest lesson of all is this:

Civilizations rarely decline because they run out of technology.

They decline because they stop learning from themselves.

Every generation repeats yesterday’s mistakes because yesterday’s experience was never preserved.

Continuity is how societies accumulate intelligence across generations.

A civilization that remembers endures.

The writer is the Chairman of Izone Ghana and Dodo Technologies