Several inappropriately sited structures in Oyarifa in the Greater Accra Region have been marked for demolition in the coming days. This forms part of the government's plan to reduce the risk of flooding incidents.

According to flood assessors, the structures blocked a water channel and diverted the natural flow of water uphill.

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The previous Akufo-Addo administration diverted $65 million from a World Bank-funded flood protection project to cover expenses related to the government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Finance Ministry.

Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Frederick Amissah $65 million allocated under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project was one of several World Bank loan projects contracted by the state.

He added, “There was a project called the Ghana Economic Transformation (GET) Project, and almost ¢1 billion was spent on travelling in 2024. In one year alone, a billion Ghana cedis was used to travel for a World Bank project. Nearly half of the $137 million went into COVID expenditure; it was redirected to COVID. Even the $65 million that was transferred for the purpose of COVID, only $60.8 million has been successfully retired. About $4.2 million remains unretired.”

This revelation comes amid mounting pressure on President John Dramani Mahama to address the country's recurring flooding problem. Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the GARID Project, Dr. Ohene Sarfoh, says Ghana is failing to achieve zero flooding in Accra due to political interference.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, June 30, he noted that, he explained that influential individuals often prevent enforcement agencies from consistently applying Ghana’s physical planning and development laws to shield offenders.

“We should get away from this patronage system where one person gets into a problem and then an uncle, a father, a mother or somebody intervenes, thereby undermining the law,” he said.

According to him, it’s about time the right thing is done; thus, persons found guilty of undermining efforts to protect waterways and prevent illegal developments must face the law.

“We also have to do development control. We need to keep development away from certain areas. Perhaps there should be more emphasis on prevention than demolition.”His comments are a reaction to the recent heavy rains that have left parts of Ghana’s capital flooded.

Ghana witnessed a series of flooding incidents on Monday, June 29, in parts of the Greater Accra Region and other regions following heavy rains.

The rains, which started late on Sunday, June 28, left commuters stranded, brought traffic to a standstill, resulted in the deaths of several individuals, and the destruction of properties.

While some victims managed to salvage a few belongings, many suffered devastating losses as floodwaters submerged their homes and properties.

The current death toll from the flooding incidents, as confirmed by the Ghana National Fire Service Public Relations Department, stands at 34. Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has realised a sum of GH¢300 million from the Contingency Fund for individuals affected by the incident following President John Dramani Mahama’s directive.

The directive forms part of the government's response to the flooding of parts of Accra and other communities in the southern sector of the country after hours of unusually heavy rainfall.

In Ghana, the Contingency Fund is a constitutional fund set aside to meet urgent and unforeseen government expenses that cannot wait for the normal budget approval process.

It is established under Article 177 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.In a statement issued on behalf of the President by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, it was indicated that the GH¢300 million will be divided into two, with portions designated to provide relief and implement measures to mitigate flooding.

“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.

GHS 150 million out of the amount will finance urgent relief efforts for flood-affected persons and communities in the southern sector of the country. Another GHS 150 million will be spent on flood mitigation measures aimed at reducing incidents of flooding,” parts of the statement read.

Also, due to the scale of destruction and the effects of the floods, President Mahama has ordered that additional support be provided by the Ghana Armed Forces and other security services for the rescue operations ongoing 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,” adding that, “the President earlier today undertook an aerial tour of the flooded areas to assess the full extent of the situation and announced a raft of steps being taken to safeguard residents and prevent further flooding.”