Authors: Winfred Mawutor Yao Aklorbortu, Candida Elsie Elinam Akosua Ametowobla, Grace Asare

This paper investigates flood management challenges in urban Ghana, emphasizing the need for integrated, community-driven approaches to resilience. It explores how combining Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) with improved urban planning and decentralized governance can mitigate flood risks in rapidly growing cities like Accra and Kumasi. Through analysis of local hydrological data and stakeholder engagement models, the research reveals that participatory planning and green infrastructure such as wetlands restoration and permeable pavements can reduce flood exposure by up to 30%. The paper also highlights the socio-political dimensions of flood resilience, advocating for inclusive policies that empower vulnerable communities and align with Ghana’s climate adaptation goals. By proposing a context-sensitive framework for sustainable flood management, this work contributes to the broader discourse on equitable urban resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Footnote: This was submitted and published in the FIDIC Future Leaders Booklet – Advancing Infrastructure and Engineering Sustainability