President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister of Finance to immediately release funds from the contingency fund to support victims of the devastating floods that hit parts of Accra on Monday.

The President, who toured affected areas on Monday, said the relief funds will provide post-flood support to residents who lost property and livelihoods. But beyond immediate relief, President Mahama called for a major shift in attitude toward flooding in the capital.

“But let us change our attitude, and let us find a permanent solution to this Accra flooding problem. We shouldn’t become like the vulture who anytime it is raining, he says, ‘as soon as it stops raining, you repair his roof.’ And then as soon as it stops raining, he says, ‘it can stop raining, so there’s no need to repair the roof.’ This time should be different,” the President stated.

Blames Indiscipline for Flooding
President Mahama attributed the recurring floods to human activities, particularly the dumping of refuse in drains and building on waterways.

“Flooding is affecting a lot of people. But anytime you begin to take action and start breaking houses, people think that government is inhumane. But when the problem arises like this, it affects everybody,” he said.

He noted that the conduct of a few people blocking drainage channels has ended up affecting the entire city.

National Security Council to Lead Clean-Up
To address the crisis, President Mahama said he has convened a National Security Council meeting. The Council has been tasked to work with the Ministry of Works and Housing and all District Assemblies to identify blocked channels within their jurisdictions.

“We will earmark those places for removal. It will not only be about breaking houses. We have to move the rubble out of the way, because there is no use breaking a house and leaving the rubble in the waterway. It is just the same as leaving the house,” he explained.

Long-Term Plan to Decongest Accra
The President also announced a 20-year plan to decongest Accra by relocating major government departments and creating a new growth center outside the capital.

“Ultimately, the other solution will be to decongest Accra. That is why we are planning to move some of the city out – that is, major government departments – and then also create a new center of growth. So that our people will start building outside Accra in a new city, instead of everybody looking for space in Accra to build,” he said.

Sympathy and Appreciation to Rescue Teams
President Mahama expressed sympathy with families who lost property, describing the damage as “very extensive.”

He commended the military, NADMO, the Police, the Ghana Hydrological Authority, the Ministry of Works and Housing, and the 48 Engineer Regiment for their rescue efforts.

“I have seen many of the videos where people had to be carried out of their houses. They deployed their boats and saved quite a lot of lives. NADMO will do what it can to identify the victims and see how we can support them,” he assured.

He also urged Ghanaians to stop dumping refuse in drains and quarters as a key step toward ending the annual flooding crisis in Accra.

Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region