President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate release of GH¢300 million from the Contingency Fund to finance urgent flood relief and mitigation efforts following the devastating floods that hit parts of Accra and other communities in the southern sector of the country after hours of heavy rainfall.
A statement issued by the Presidency Communications yesterday said the directive formed part of the government’s response to the flooding, adding that the funds would be used to provide immediate assistance to affected persons while supporting measures to reduce future flood incidents.
“GHS150 million out of the amount will finance urgent relief efforts for flood-affected persons and communities in the southern sector of the country. Another GHS150 million will be spent on flood mitigation measures aimed at reducing incidents of flooding,” the statement said.
The statement further disclosed that President Mahama had directed the deployment of personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service to work with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other security services in the rescue and relief operations currently underway across the city.
It noted that the President had earlier undertaken an aerial tour of the flooded areas to assess the full extent of the situation and announced a raft of measures aimed at safeguarding residents and preventing further flooding.
The statement, signed by the Minister for Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the interventions underscored the government’s commitment to responding swiftly to the humanitarian situation while strengthening flood mitigation efforts across the country.
This follows Tuesday’s torrential rains, which triggered widespread flooding in parts of Accra and disrupted transport, businesses and other socio-economic activities, leaving several communities inundated.
