Many walkways in Ghana are dangerous, with broken drains and open gutters putting pedestrians at risk. This story explores the problem and why it matters.
Open drains, broken metal gratings, and poorly covered gutters have become part of the landscape. What should be a simple sidewalk is now a danger zone. And for many pedestrians, one wrong step could lead to serious injury.
What We Saw on the Ground
Our team visited several urban spots to document the state of our walkways. Some drains were wide open. Others had old tires placed over them. Some had cement slabs that were broken or missing entirely.
We spoke to a trader whose shop sits next to one of these uncovered drains. She shared a story that many city dwellers can relate to.
Trader:
“This is my shop, and honestly, what you’re talking about really worries us. It affects our work. Sometimes, someone comes to buy something and before you know it, their leg goes into the hole. Just recently, a student was passing – their leg fell right in here. We really struggled. Some people said we should bring a hammer, others said a chisel. We did everything we could to get the leg out. But he was hurt – bleeding, with cuts – so we had to rush him to the hospital. This issue that people don’t talk about… it’s really a big problem.”
Why the Drains Are Left Open
Many of the broken drains were once covered by metal gratings. But over time, those coverings have disappeared. In some cases, people steal the metal to sell it as scrap.
We spoke to Bernard Fordjour, a physical planning officer from the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly, about what could be done.
Bernard:
“The government will just do this thing with big money just to protect the citizens and we the same citizens would come and take these metal gratings off just to sell it. So we’re causing harm to ourselves. I think we’re supposed to come out with an innovative way to prevent them from stealing… because the last time I was just suggesting; we went for a general assembly meeting and I was suggesting that instead of putting these metal gratings for them to come and take it, why don’t we make everything concrete, concrete slab because you can’t take that one off and sell it. Nobody is going to buy that concrete slab. Instead of putting the metal gratings on these drains and they taking it off. And I know there are a lot of also optional and innovative ways which those engineers can come about with it. So I know there are a lot of innovative ways to cover these drains.”
The Risk Is Everywhere
This is not just an Accra problem. Across Ghana, pedestrians walk on cracked walkways, unstable covers, and open gutters.
In some areas, the risk is worse at night. There is little lighting, no warning signs, and no protection for people trying to move through the city safely.
For people with disabilities, the elderly, or children, the danger is even more serious.
Can This Be Fixed?
Yes, but it will take more than just fixing holes. We need systems that:
- Replace missing drain covers quickly
- Use materials that can’t easily be stolen
- Design walkways with people in mind, not just cars
It will also take all of us caring, not walking past danger like it’s normal, or accepting poor design as normal, like we saw in our earlier story on market safety and poor urban planning.
Every Step Should Be Safe
It’s not asking too much to want to walk through your city without fear.
This is why Voices of Concern continues to document the issues many overlook. Stories like these show what’s broken, and also what’s possible.
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Source: Voicesofconcern.com
