News
Government steps up flood response, urges public to cooperate
The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has assured Ghanaians that government is intensifying efforts to respond to the widespread flooding that has affected parts of Accra, Tema and surrounding communities following days of heavy rainfall.
In a press release issued on Monday, June 29, the minister explained that he joined President John Dramani Mahama and members of the Anti Flood Task Force to inspect flood affected communities after the prolonged rains.
According to him, the visit enabled the team to assess the causes of the flooding and evaluate measures needed to address the problem.
He noted that since June 27, sustained heavy rainfall had flooded homes, businesses and public infrastructure, especially in low lying communities, disrupting economic and social activities.
The minister expressed government’s sympathy to families and communities affected by the floods and assured victims that relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts would continue.
“We fully appreciate the pain, disruption, and economic hardship that these events will impose on households, traders, transport operators, and businesses,” he stated.
He explained that while climate change and extreme weather patterns were contributing to heavier rainfall, human activities such as building on waterways, dumping waste into drains and ignoring planning regulations had worsened the situation.
Mr Adjei stressed that tackling flooding required the collective efforts of government institutions, local authorities, traditional leaders, businesses and residents.
He disclosed that the Ministry, through the Ghana Hydrological Authority, was working with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, security agencies and other stakeholders to respond to the emergency.
He indicated that emergency response teams had been deployed to affected communities while evacuation support, relief items for displaced persons, damage assessment and drainage clearing exercises were ongoing.
The minister further revealed that recent enforcement operations by the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies had focused on removing illegal structures blocking drains, waterways and wetlands.
He added that the Ministry would intensify these operations to protect natural drainage systems and prevent future flooding.
Mr Adjei announced that extensive desilting and excavation of major drains would begin immediately to improve the movement of stormwater.
He added that new drainage channels would also be constructed along natural water pathways, while government continued to expand and rehabilitate drainage infrastructure, restore wetlands and strengthen early warning systems.
The minister urged residents living near rivers, lagoons, drains and other flood prone areas to move to safer locations whenever necessary, avoid walking or driving through floodwaters and keep children away from flooded areas.
He appealed to the public to support government’s efforts by avoiding the dumping of refuse into drains, refraining from building on waterways and complying with environmental and planning regulations.
Mr Adjei expressed confidence that with collective responsibility and discipline, Ghana could reduce the impact of flooding and build safer and more resilient communities.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has advised Ghanaians living in South Africa to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures ahead of planned protest activities expected on June 30.
In a public advisory issued on Monday, June 29, the Mission urged Ghanaian nationals to prioritise their safety following a deadline announced by a group known as “March and March” and its affiliated organisations, which could lead to demonstrations and disruptions in parts of the country.
The High Commission advised Ghanaians to stay indoors, especially in central business districts, transport hubs, informal trading areas and other locations where protests may occur.
It encouraged them to temporarily close their businesses where necessary and avoid unnecessary movement until the situation stabilises.
The Mission further urged members of the Ghanaian community to avoid confrontations or provocative discussions, including on social media, and to ensure that their passports, residence permits and other identification documents were readily available at all times.
According to the High Commission, emergency telephone lines have been activated to provide assistance and receive reports from Ghanaians who may require help during the period.
It encouraged Ghanaians to remain calm, obey the laws of South Africa and cooperate fully with local authorities.
The Mission advised them to rely only on information from credible official sources and avoid sharing unverified reports or rumours that could create unnecessary panic.
The Ghana High Commission assured the Ghanaian community that it would continue to monitor developments and provide updates when necessary, adding that it remained committed to protecting the welfare of all Ghanaian nationals in South Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticised the government’s handling of the flooding that hit parts of Accra and surrounding communities on Monday, urging it to move beyond what it described as public relations activities and take decisive action to address the country’s flood challenges.
In a press release issued on June 29, the party expressed sympathy to thousands of people affected by the floods but maintained that the government had failed to respond effectively to the recurring disaster.
The NPP noted that communities including the N1 Highway, Apenkwa, Achimota, Kaneshie, Weija, Spintex, Darkuman Junction and the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange were flooded after heavy rains.
According to the party, these communities have experienced flooding repeatedly over the years, making it necessary for government to adopt long term solutions.
The NPP argued that the current administration had created confusion by splitting responsibility for flood management between the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
It claimed that the arrangement had resulted in poor coordination, with the two ministries competing over responsibilities instead of working together to address the problem.
The party questioned the decision to place Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe in charge of coordinating flood response efforts.
According to the NPP, he does not have the authority to direct ministers, making the current command structure ineffective.
The opposition party further alleged that some anti flood measures announced by the government had either not been implemented or had been poorly executed.
It claimed that delays in the release of funds for flood mitigation programmes had affected ongoing interventions.
The NPP rejected recent comments by President John Dramani Mahama that flooding was partly caused by poor environmental practices and indiscipline among some citizens.
It argued that while public cooperation was important, the government should take responsibility for designing and implementing effective flood management policies.
The party called on the President to place flood management under one ministry, appoint a single minister to lead the response, and provide a public account of the work and spending of the Anti Flood Task Force.
It also urged the government to work closely with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and technical experts to improve land use planning, sanitation management and drainage infrastructure.
The statement, signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, stressed that the party would continue to hold the government accountable while standing with families affected by the floods.
By: Jacob Aggrey
