Minority demands detailed accountability for GH¢350m flood relief allocation

The Minority in Parliament is demanding a full and transparent account of how the government intends to utilise the GH¢350 million approved from the Contingency Fund to support victims of Monday’s floods.

The allocation comprises GH¢200 million for emergency relief supplies and GH¢150 million for flood prevention and mitigation measures.

The floods affected more than 38,000 people, displaced over 7,000 households, and resulted in 12 deaths.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin said the funding decision was appropriate but insisted that the government must provide a detailed, itemised breakdown of expenditure to ensure full accountability.

He also called on the government to ensure that affected communities outside Accra are included in the relief distribution and are not left out of support interventions.

Afenyo-Markin criticised the government over what he described as inadequate preparedness for the rainy season, arguing that the floods exposed weaknesses in the work of the Anti-Flood Taskforce established last year.

He further linked the severity of the flooding to gaps in waste management following the government's decision not to renew contracts with some waste management companies.

The Minority Leader is also calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the preparedness and performance of the Anti-Flood Taskforce, as well as the relevant ministries and agencies responsible for flood management.

He warned of potential outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and other water-borne diseases in affected areas, urging the Minister of Health to brief Parliament on the preventive measures being implemented.

Afenyo-Markin expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished all those affected a speedy recovery.