President John Dramani Mahama has donated relief items to the 37 Military Hospital to support its emergency and trauma services following the devastating floods that swept through parts of the country last week, leaving lives lost, thousands displaced, and extensive damage to property.
The donation formed part of the government’s ongoing response to the disaster and coincided with the National Cleanup Exercise, which aims to promote sanitation while supporting communities affected by the floods.
Speaking during the presentation, President Mahama described the floods as a national tragedy that had caused significant human suffering and underscored the need for continued assistance to victims and institutions providing emergency care.
“We all know what occurred last week. We had devastating floods that led to loss of property and, unfortunately, loss of life. Following assessments by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the death toll had reached about 13 people, while between five and six individuals remained unaccounted for”.
President John Dramani Mahama
Beyond the fatalities, the floods displaced thousands of residents and destroyed homes and personal belongings across several affected communities. “After all the reviews, NADMO puts the loss of lives at about 13 people and about five or six still unaccounted for,” he stated.
Thousands Displaced by Floods
President Mahama said preliminary estimates indicate that about 58,000 people were temporarily displaced by the floods. According to him, while some victims have found temporary accommodation with relatives and friends, others continue to rely on emergency shelters and humanitarian support.
To support relief operations, the President explained that the Minister for Finance had released GH¢200 million to enable NADMO to procure and distribute emergency relief supplies to affected households.
He said the agency had already begun distributing essential items in several regions. According to him, relief distribution has already covered the Central, Western, and Volta regions, with operations continuing in the Greater Accra Region.
The supplies include food items such as rice, mattresses, buckets and other basic household necessities intended to help families recover from the disaster.
Private Sector Contributions Boost Relief Efforts
President Mahama also acknowledged the support provided by Ghanaian businesses, describing their contributions as an important complement to the government’s emergency response.
He said several companies voluntarily donated products they manufacture, including diapers, liquid detergent, washing powder, antiseptics, disinfectants, bleach, instant noodles, beverages and other essential items.
According to the President, these products were donated directly by private companies and distributed through NADMO to affected communities. He rejected suggestions circulating in some quarters that the agency had purchased items such as instant noodles for flood victims.
“There were also some products like Indomie that were provided by a private company. It is not NADMO distributing Indomie like somebody was trying to make the country believe. These are private donations and you don’t expect NADMO to keep them. They must give them out to the people.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama said the partnership between government and the private sector had strengthened the national relief effort and ensured that more victims received timely support.
Support for the National Emergency Hospital
Explaining the decision to donate supplies to the 37 Military Hospital, the President said the facility plays a critical role in Ghana’s emergency healthcare system and therefore deserves to benefit from the relief materials.
He described the hospital as the country’s foremost emergency and trauma centre and acknowledged the work of its medical personnel in treating victims of disasters and other emergencies.
“We know that 37 is the number one national emergency and trauma centre, and so we can’t distribute these things and leave you out. This is your share that we have brought to you to assist the good job that you’re doing here.”
President John Dramani Mahama
The donated items included baby diapers and other hygiene products expected to support patient care at the hospital.
Hospital Expresses Appreciation
Receiving the items on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces Health Services, a senior female representative of the hospital expressed gratitude to President Mahama for what she described as his consistent support for the institution.
She thanked the President for responding whenever the hospital sought assistance and said the latest donation would provide timely relief, particularly for newborn babies receiving care at the facility.
Recalling an earlier conversation with the President about the hospital’s needs, she explained that the donated diapers would significantly benefit mothers and babies, especially those affected by the recent floods.
In a lighthearted moment, she jokingly referred to herself as “Olivia Twist,” adding that the hospital would continue to seek the President’s support whenever necessary. “We continue asking for more, Your Excellency. We’re so grateful and blessed.”
President Mahama thanked the hospital staff for their dedication and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting institutions at the forefront of disaster response and emergency healthcare as relief efforts continue across the country.
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