President John Dramani Mahama has directed the release of contingency funds to support victims affected by the extensive flooding in Accra, while outlining long-term plans to decongest the capital.
Following an aerial assessment of the affected communities, the President expressed sympathy to residents who lost property in the floods.
“I just want to express my sympathy with people who have lost property. Loss of property has been very extensive.”
He announced that government would provide immediate assistance to affected households.
“I’ve asked the Minister of Finance to release some money from the contingency fund so that we can do some post-flood relief for persons who have been affected.”
The President also praised emergency personnel involved in rescue operations.
“I want to thank the military, the police, and the Works and Housing Ministry and all the emergency response team, 48th Engineers Regiment, for the rescue that they did.”
Looking beyond the immediate response, Mr. Mahama said government intends to reduce pressure on Accra through a long-term decongestion strategy.
“Ultimately, the other solution will be to decongest Accra.”
He said the plan includes relocating major government departments and developing a new growth centre outside the capital.
“We’re planning that we move some of the city out… create a new centre of growth so that our people start building outside Accra.”
The President also appealed to the public to change attitudes towards environmental sanitation, warning that lasting solutions would require collective responsibility.
