The recent floods that swept through communities such as Tse Addo, Teshie Bush Road, Mallam, Lakeside, Dansoman, Adabraka, Circle, Kasoa and Spintex have left behind a trail of sorrow that is difficult to put into words. Families have lost loved ones, including innocent children and newborns, while others are still recovering from the shock of watching their homes and livelihoods submerged. Businesses such as shops, restaurants, salons and warehouses have been destroyed, and major roads have been rendered impassable. In moments like this, the nation mourns together, and we are reminded that behind every statistic is a human story of pain, loss and uncertainty. It is in this context of grief that many citizens are asking difficult questions about leadership, preparedness and responsibility.
At the heart of these questions is a growing sense that it’s very clear that we’ve lost a generation of responsible politicians, traditional leaders, religious leaders who should have been the moral and developmental backbone of our society. Year after year, we witness the same patterns: buildings emerging on waterways, wetlands being filled for construction, drainage systems left blocked or incomplete, and warnings about environmental risks ignored until disaster strikes. Yet the voices that should consistently advocate for long-term planning, environmental protection and disciplined urban development often become loudest only after tragedy has occurred. This absence of sustained leadership across political, traditional and spiritual spheres has left communities exposed and vulnerable, especially during heavy rainfall events that are becoming more intense with time.
As a concerned and deeply sympathetic citizen, I believe this moment should not only be about mourning but also about honest reflection and collective renewal. We owe it to the families who have lost everything to demand better leadership and to rebuild a culture where accountability is not seasonal but constant. Traditional leaders must reclaim their role as custodians of land and ensure that sacred waterways and community spaces are protected. Religious leaders must continue to shape moral consciousness that values stewardship of the environment as a duty. Political leaders must prioritize infrastructure, enforce planning laws and invest in resilient urban systems. Above all, citizens must remain engaged and vigilant. Only when leadership at all levels is restored with sincerity and responsibility can we begin to prevent such heartbreaking disasters from repeating themselves.
By Emmanuella Benson
