Why Kwesi Pratt believes Mahama's helicopter tour of floods missed the mark

The Managing Editor of The Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama's decision to inspect flood-hit areas in Accra from a helicopter following Monday's June 29, 2026, heavy rains.

According to him, although the President's visit showed concern for victims, it would have been more meaningful if he had visited the affected communities on foot to interact directly with residents.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on July 1, 2026, Pratt argued that a helicopter tour could not provide practical solutions to the country's flooding problem.

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"Yesterday, or two days ago, the President decided to go on a helicopter trip around the flooded areas to assess the damage. Now, I know the President to be a historian and a journalist. His trip is not likely to produce a scientific outcome. This helicopter trip is not likely to produce a scientific outcome for the problems that the people of this country are confronted with," he said.

He stated that President Mahama could have better demonstrated empathy by visiting victims in person rather than observing the situation from the air.

Pratt also questioned the public image created by the President's aerial inspection, saying it was not the best approach during a disaster.

"I don't think that the aesthetics are good enough in a situation where you have this massive flooding, and your leaders are in helicopters flying over you," he added.

His remarks follow President John Dramani Mahama's helicopter tour of flood-affected areas in Accra after heavy rains caused widespread flooding between Sunday, June 28, 2026, and Monday, June 29, 2026.

A video of the inspection showed a worried-looking Mahama looking at homes, companies, lorry parks, and streets submerged under water in vast areas of Accra, including Circle and the Weija area.

At some point, the president was seen pointing out some structures, which, according to him, were in the way of the floodwater and had to be removed.

Watch as President Mahama conducts aerial inspection of flood-hit areas in Accra

The president was with some of his key appointees, including the Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, the Director-General of Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Dr Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe, who is also the Chairman of the government’s Anti-Flood Taskforce.

MAG/VPO

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