Accra Flood Disaster: Hajia Charity challenges Bawumia, demand accountability from Cecilia Dapaah over World Bank funds

As torrential rains battered Accra, leaving more than a dozen people dead and displacing tens of thousands of residents, the disaster quickly sparked political debate over responsibility for the recurring flooding in the capital.

Among those weighing in was the Deputy Director General in charge of Stores at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Hajia Charity Rahinatu Asoemah, who blamed what she described as years of neglect and poor management for the scale of the destruction.

Speaking during a visit to affected communities, Hajia Charity argued that the flooding was not solely the result of heavy rainfall but also reflected long-standing failures to address the city's drainage challenges.

“This flooding is not just a natural disaster; it’s the direct result of failed leadership and abandoned promises,” she said.

She alleged that the previous administration had received World Bank funding earmarked for desilting and drainage works along the Odaw River, but questioned how the funds were utilised.

“Ask Cecilia Dapaah what she did with the World Bank money. If those funds had been used as intended, we wouldn’t be facing such destruction and loss today,” she said.

Hajia Charity also criticised former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, arguing that he should have used his position in government to demand accountability over the implementation of the project.

“Instead of crying foul now, Dr. Bawumia should have tackled corruption when he had the chance. The innocent people of Accra are suffering because leaders failed to act,” she said.

She maintained that greater accountability was needed over the management of public resources intended for flood mitigation projects, particularly those aimed at improving drainage infrastructure.

Her comments came amid growing public concern over the recurring floods in Accra and renewed calls for a comprehensive solution to the city's drainage challenges.

Addressing affected residents during his visit to flood-hit communities, Dr. Bawumia called for a united national response to the perennial flooding problem. He urged Ghanaians to put aside partisan differences and appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to establish a multi-partisan panel of experts to develop a long term solution to flooding in the capital.

“Floods do not care about party colours. They devastate all Ghanaians alike,” Dr. Bawumia said.

Hajia Charity, however, insisted that while engineering solutions are necessary, accountability for the implementation of past flood prevention projects is equally important.

“We cannot build a safer future on a foundation of distrust,” she said.

The allegations made by Hajia Charity regarding the utilisation of World Bank funds have not been independently verified, and the individuals she mentioned have not publicly responded to the claims.

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