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NPP defends Akufo Addo administration’s record on flood control
The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has defended the flood management record of
former president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration, arguing that it pursued long term solutions to address flooding in Accra.
In a facebook post on Tuesday 30th June 2026, Mr Ahiagbah maintained that flooding in the capital had been a challenge for successive governments and could not be solved through short term emergency responses alone.
According to him, the Akufo Addo administration established a Cabinet Sub Committee in 2017 to develop a comprehensive plan to tackle persistent flooding, particularly in Accra.
He indicated that the government invested more than GH¢550 million over eight years in emergency flood relief, drainage repairs and desilting exercises in flood prone communities.
Mr Ahiagbah highlighted the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID), a US$200 million programme supported by the World Bank, as a key intervention undertaken by the previous administration.
According to him, the project focused on drainage construction, flood mitigation infrastructure, solid waste management, upgrading vulnerable communities and improving disaster preparedness within the Odaw River Basin.
He explained that about US$92 million was allocated for climate resilient drainage infrastructure, US$42.2 million for solid waste management systems and US$58.8 million for upgrading low income communities located in flood prone areas.
Mr Ahiagbah further noted that the government secured an additional US$150 million in 2024 to continue implementing the GARID project after changes to World Bank funding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He stated that by the end of the Akufo Addo administration, dredging works on the Odaw River had begun, drainage projects were underway at Achimota Abofu and South Kaneshie, while drainage works along the Busia Highway had been awarded.
He added that protection works at Atomic East had been completed and that a modern flood early warning system for Accra was also being introduced.
Mr Ahiagbah described the proposed Atomic East and Atomic West detention ponds as one of the most significant flood control projects planned under the previous administration, explaining that they had reached the final design stage before the NPP left office in January 2025.
He argued that the current administration inherited ongoing projects, secured funding and active contractors, but claimed that many of the projects had slowed down.
According to him, Ghanaians deserved an explanation for the delays, insisting that the previous administration had laid a strong foundation for addressing Accra’s flooding challenges.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to remain united, grateful and prayerful despite the recent floods that claimed lives and destroyed property in parts of Accra.
Speaking at the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving held at the forecourt of the State House in Accra, the President noted that the nation had gathered not because all its challenges had been solved, but to reflect, give thanks to God and renew its commitment to the country’s development.
He explained that throughout Ghana’s history, the nation had consistently turned to God during both difficult and successful times, describing faith as one of the country’s strongest pillars.
“We gather not as members of different political parties, ethnic groups or religions, but as one people under God,” President Mahama stated.
He encouraged Ghanaians to approach the occasion with grateful hearts, stressing that every blessing the country enjoys comes from God.
Reflecting on the recent floods that devastated parts of Accra, President Mahama acknowledged the pain of families who lost loved ones and property during the disaster.
Despite the tragedy, he urged citizens to draw strength from Scripture, quoting First Epistle to the Thessalonians Chapter 5, Verse 18, which encourages believers to give thanks in all circumstances.
The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving brought together religious leaders, members of Parliament, the Judiciary, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security service chiefs, traditional leaders and other dignitaries to pray for the nation and reflect on its progress and challenges.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Renowned Ghanaian businessman and an indigene of the Upper East Region, Awentami Paul Afoko, has called for the construction of an international airport in the Upper East Region, arguing that it is critical to unlocking the region’s agricultural and export potential.
Addressing stakeholders at the Regional Development Framework validation forum in Bolgatanga, Mr. Afoko said the Upper East Region possesses enormous economic opportunities that can be harnessed through strategic investment in agriculture, infrastructure,, and trade.
“As an entrepreneur, I have learnt that governments do not create businesses; entrepreneurs do. Government’s responsibility is to create the environment within which businesses can thrive,” he said.
He highlighted irrigation projects and commercial farming as key drivers of economic transformation, urging greater investment in year-round production of vegetables, fruits, and flowers for international markets.
“The challenge is not finding buyers. The challenge is producing at sufficient scale throughout the year,” he stated.
Mr. Afoko also called for investment in warehouses, cold-chain facilities, packaging centres and standardized production systems to improve the competitiveness of local products, including shea butter, basket weaving, and textiles.
“We must organise ourselves to produce standardised products and invest in warehouses, cold chains, and packaging so that we become year-round suppliers,” he said.
He stressed that an international airport would significantly boost exports from the region.
“We need an airport urgently so that flowers from the Upper East can reach Europe before Kenyan flowers do. Burkina Faso produces strawberries, and we can do the same,” he remarked.
According to Mr. Afoko, the region’s strategic location also presents opportunities to expand cross-border trade with neighbouring countries through stronger economic diplomacy.
“There is the need for an international airport in the region to enable us to seize export opportunities. Our strategic location also presents enormous opportunities to strengthen border trade,” he added.
He called on the government, diplomats, and development partners to work together to position the Upper East Region as a major agricultural and export hub in West Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
