IMANI Africa Vice President Kofi Bentil has said that uncontrolled development and government failure are the main factors behind Accra’s recurring flooding.
Speaking on KeyPoints on TV3 following the June 29 floods, Bentil said the causes of the flooding are well known.
“One is uncontrolled development and government failure at all levels. Uncontrolled development is what we see,” he said.
He argued that state institutions have the legal authority to regulate development but have not consistently exercised those powers.
“Development is handled at the local level. You get the land, but what you build on it is a state function. They have legal authority to step in, and when they fail, they fail at that point.”
Bentil added that responsibility ultimately extends to the highest level of government.
“That’s why we have an executive presidency. The powers of state are vested in him. All ministers work through the President.”
