President John Dramani Mahama announced a number of high-level measures to lessen the effects of ongoing flooding in the nation’s capital, following a field visit to impacted district areas on Monday.
The President evaluated the amount of the devastation brought on by the heavy rains, accompanied by the Minister for Water Resources, Works, and Housing and members of the Anti-flood Taskforce.
The visit follows record-breaking rains, with Accra recording over 140 mm of rain in a single day, nearly three times the greatest single-day record from the previous year.
President Mahama has issued the following directives in reaction to the crisis:
1. An emergency meeting of the National Security Council to address the flooding as a matter of urgent national priority.
2. Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are to collaborate immediately with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to identify and map all obstructions along major drainage channels.
3. Authorised the demolition of buildings obstructing waterways and the immediate clearance of rubble to restore natural drainage paths.
4. Tasked the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) with identifying all victims and providing comprehensive relief support over the coming days.
5. Directed the Minister for Finance to release funds from the Contingency Fund to support post-flood relief efforts and emergency infrastructure repairs.
The President shared data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) and pointed out a concerning trend in the amount of rainfall. Accra received 85 mm of rain in June 2024, 172 mm in 2025, and 333 mm in 2026.
President Mahama said, “The data is clear: climate change is significantly increasing the volume of rainfall we receive annually, however, we must also address the human and engineering factors. We cannot allow the blockage of natural streams that flow from the Akwapim Range to the Atlantic Ocean.”
The President was adamant on enforcement while expressing profound sympathy for families who have lost loved ones.
He bemoaned the fact that although the government is frequently charged with being “inhumane” when it comes to demolishing unlawful structures, the public suffers considerably more as a result of inaction.
President Mahama reaffirmed his demand for a drastic shift in perspectives about waste management, sanitation, and unapproved development in areas vulnerable to flooding.
Source: newsthemegh.com