Els: MBN360
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate release of GHS 300 million from the Contingency Fund to finance emergency flood relief and long-term mitigation efforts following severe flooding that has affected parts of Accra and other communities in southern Ghana.
The directive, announced in a statement issued by the Presidency Communications Office, forms part of the government’s response to widespread flooding triggered by hours of unusually heavy rainfall.
The funding is expected to support immediate humanitarian assistance for affected residents while strengthening measures to reduce the impact of future flooding.
According to the statement, the President instructed the Minister for Finance to release the funds without delay to ensure that emergency response efforts continue without interruption.
“President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance to release GHS 300 million from the Contingency Fund to finance urgent flood relief and mitigation efforts”.Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson to the President
The announcement came after extensive flooding submerged roads, homes, and businesses in sections of Accra and other southern communities, disrupting transport, displacing residents, and prompting emergency rescue operations.
Government Splits Funds Between Relief and Prevention
The Presidency said the GHS 300 million allocation will be divided equally between immediate relief efforts and flood mitigation projects.
An amount of GHS 150 million has been earmarked to provide urgent assistance to flood affected persons and communities in the southern sector of the country. The remaining GHS 150 million will finance mitigation measures designed to reduce the frequency and impact of flooding.
The government believes the dual approach will address both the immediate humanitarian needs of affected residents and the longer term challenge of preventing similar disasters in vulnerable communities.
The statement did not provide details on the specific mitigation projects that will receive funding or indicate how the relief funds will be distributed.
However, the allocation signals the government’s intention to respond to the emergency while investing in measures aimed at strengthening the country’s resilience against recurring floods.
Security Agencies Join Rescue Operations
Beyond the financial intervention, President Mahama has ordered the deployment of personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service to reinforce ongoing rescue and relief operations.
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According to the Presidency, the security personnel will work alongside the National Disaster Management Organisation and other security agencies already responding to the emergency across the city.
“The President has also directed the deployment of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces and Police to work with NADMO and other security services in the rescue and relief operations currently underway across the city”.Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson to the President
The deployment is expected to increase the government’s capacity to evacuate stranded residents, provide emergency assistance, and support communities severely affected by the floods.
Emergency response agencies have been working to reach flood victims while assessing damage caused by the heavy rainfall.
President Conducts Aerial Assessment
Earlier on Tuesday, President Mahama undertook an aerial inspection of the flooded areas to assess the scale of the disaster and evaluate the government’s response.
The Presidency said the tour enabled the President to observe the full extent of the flooding before announcing a series of measures intended to protect residents and prevent further flooding.
The aerial assessment formed part of the government’s efforts to gather first hand information on the disaster and coordinate an appropriate national response.
Coordinated Response to Flood Emergency
The latest intervention reflects the government’s coordinated strategy to address the immediate effects of the flooding while laying the groundwork for improved disaster preparedness.
Flooding remains one of Ghana’s most persistent natural disasters, particularly during periods of intense rainfall, often disrupting economic activity, damaging infrastructure, and placing communities at risk.
By combining emergency financial support with enhanced rescue operations and future mitigation measures, the government aims to reduce the impact of the current disaster while strengthening the country’s ability to respond to similar events in the future.
The statement was signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson to the President, who also serves as Minister for Government Communications.
The Presidency did not indicate when the funds would be disbursed to implementing agencies or provide an estimate of the total number of people affected by the floods. It also did not specify the timeline for the planned mitigation projects.
Nevertheless, the immediate release of the Contingency Fund underscores the government’s determination to accelerate relief efforts as emergency responders continue operations in flood affected communities across southern Ghana.
