Mahama directs immediate release of GH¢300 million for flood relief, mitigation efforts
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate release of GH¢300 million from the Contingency Fund to support flood relief and mitigation efforts following the devastating floods that affected parts of Accra and other communities in southern Ghana.
The intervention comes after hours of heavy rainfall on Monday, June 29, triggered widespread flooding, leading to loss of lives, displacement of residents and damage to property across several parts of the capital.
The funds are expected to support emergency relief for affected communities while financing measures aimed at reducing the impact of future 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," the Presidency said in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 30.
According to the statement, GH¢150 million has been earmarked for immediate relief operations for flood victims in the southern sector of the country, while the remaining GH¢150 million will be used to implement flood mitigation measures.
The President has also ordered the deployment of personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service to support the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other security agencies in ongoing rescue and relief operations.
"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," the statement added.
President Mahama had earlier undertaken an aerial assessment of the flooded areas to evaluate the extent of the damage and announced a series of interventions aimed at protecting residents and preventing similar incidents in the future.