The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Select Committee on Local Government and Decentralisation, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has raised concerns over the status of major flood control projects initiated under the previous administration, warning that delays in completing them could leave thousands of Ghanaians exposed to recurring floods.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, during a statement on recent flooding incidents across the country, the Bantama MP called on government to provide clarity on the progress of key flood mitigation interventions aimed at reducing the impact of heavy rains, particularly in flood-prone communities.
Mr Asenso-Boakye recalled that between 2018 and 2024, the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo invested about GH¢540 million under the National Flood Control Programme, which he described as the largest direct government investment in flood control in Ghana’s history.
According to him, the funds were used to support drainage construction, rehabilitation and desilting works across the country.
He also noted that the previous administration secured US$350 million from the World Bank under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project to improve drainage infrastructure and strengthen flood resilience in the capital.
Mr Asenso-Boakye said major works under the GARID project had already commenced before the change in government, including the Odaw dredging, Achimota-Abofu Drain, South Kaneshie Drain and the Dr Busia Highway Drain.
He described these as strategic interventions intended to reduce flood risks in some of Accra’s most vulnerable communities.
The Bantama MP added that the Accra Flood Early Warning System had also been operationalised to improve disaster preparedness, while procurement processes and engineering designs for critical infrastructure such as the Atomic East and West Detention Ponds were at advanced stages.
However, he expressed concern over reports suggesting that some of these projects may have slowed down or stalled.
He cautioned that such delays should not be taken lightly, stressing that the projects are essential flood protection systems meant to safeguard lives, properties and economic activities.
“These are strategic flood protection projects, not ordinary infrastructure,” he stressed.
Mr Asenso-Boakye therefore called on government to provide Parliament with a comprehensive update on the implementation status of all major flood control projects and to take urgent steps to ensure their timely completion.
He emphasised that with heavy rains expected to continue, government cannot afford to delay interventions aimed at protecting communities from future flood disasters.
He maintained that sustained investment in drainage infrastructure, proper maintenance and strict enforcement of planning regulations remain crucial to addressing Ghana’s persistent flooding challenge.
Source: adomonline.com
