The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has expressed his deepest sympathies to all who have been affected, in various ways, by the recent devastating floods in many parts of the country.
According to the former President, the damage, destruction and displacements caused by the flood are tragedies requiring urgent attention and support.
He noted that Ghana as a nation must undertake robust measures to help alleviate the suffering of citizens affected by the floods.
“We stand in solidarity with the flood victims and their families during this difficult time. It is profoundly disheartening to witness the annual recurrence of these floods, with the toll on lives and property steadily increasing. The ability to prevent or minimise such disasters should be a priority for any responsible government”.
John Mahama
Mahama Chastises President Akuffo Addo For Failing To Prevent Flood
The National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2024 General Elections also criticized President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration for failing to demonstrate enough commitment towards implementing effective measures to address the recurring of flooding menace in the country.
According to the former President the Akuffo Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration has run out of ideas for ameliorating the flooding situation in Ghana.
“Today, even with the shortest burst of rainfall, areas previously immune to the flooding menace experience severe destruction from the raging waters. We are witnessing an increase in flooding, especially in the cities, despite the huge funds injected into flood control by foreign partners such as the World Bank and from the domestic budget”.
John Mahama
Mr. Mahama also bemoaned the inability of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), a paralysed state institution under President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party administration for its failure to provide relief for the flood victims mainly due to lack of funding.
The former President therefore recommended that to prevent the repetition of similar unfortunate incidents, the government must undertake proactive measures such as implementing appropriate regulations, good waste management, and investing in the construction and management of sustainable drainage systems.
He therefore calls on President Akuffo Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration to take immediate action to rectify the systemic failures that have contributed to these floods.
In recent days, various communities across the country have been affected by disasters caused by flooding. Several coastal communities have also been ravaged and suffered loss of properties due to tidal waves. The Greater Accra Region was particularly devastated by the flash floods last week, but people in other regions of the country also suffered.
The actual causes of flood hazards in most cities in Ghana have been of great concern to the general public and government. In Accra for instance, the capital of the country, flooding has been the key source of human vulnerability.
Studies carried out on flood vulnerability in Accra mainly ascribed the unfortunate incident to poor city planning, poor draining system, poor supervision by city authorities and inappropriate dumping of refuge by citizens among others.
According to the World Bank, urban floods have become more frequent and of higher intensity due to the fast-growing development and occupation of flood-risk areas, inadequate and unmaintained drainage systems, and solid waste accumulation along waterways.
The flood event of June 3, 2015, affected 53,000 people and caused major damage and losses in the housing, transport, water, and sanitation sectors amounting to $55 million, with an estimated $105 million reconstruction cost.
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