Flood Fury: Ghanaians Demand Full Probe Into Cecilia Dapaah’s Handling of World Bank Millions

The recent devastating floods that have claimed lives and ravaged communities across Accra have triggered a nationwide outcry, with many Ghanaians demanding accountability from former Minister of Sanitation, Water and Natural Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, over the management of multimillion‑dollar World Bank grants allocated for drainage and sanitation projects in the Greater Accra Region under the previous Nana Akufo‑Addo administration.

The catastrophic flooding has reignited long‑standing concerns about whether the donor funds were used effectively—or whether mismanagement and administrative negligence undermined the intended impact of the projects.

Voices From the Ground: Citizens Demand Answers

In interviews conducted across flood‑hit communities, residents expressed deep frustration over the state of Accra’s drainage systems.

Roy Agyeman, a local observer, pointed to areas such as Graphic Road and Accra Circle—the epicentre of the recent disaster—arguing that these critical zones were neglected despite being priority targets for the World Bank‑funded interventions.

“The areas that needed the most attention were left in a state of decay,” Agyeman lamented.

This sentiment was echoed by Madam Mary Marco of Odorkor Official Town, who criticised the Ministry’s failure to enforce regulations.

“Officials came here for project work, but they did nothing to stop people from encroaching on waterways. They left with little to show for their oversight,” she said.

At the bustling Circle hub, Kofi Krampah described the drainage expansion project executed under Madam Dapaah’s tenure as “shoddy.”

He noted that despite the investment, the drains overflow at the slightest rainfall, destroying property and livelihoods.

A Stark Contrast: Success vs Neglect

While many drainage projects are widely viewed as failures, some observers highlight one notable success during the same period—the Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Sanitation Project (GKMA‑SP).

Credible sources within the Ministry say the GKMA‑SP, led by experienced Sanitation and Environmental Engineer Ing. George Asiedu, successfully constructed over 30,000 ultramodern toilet facilities for schools, hospitals, and households.

This achievement has prompted many to question why similar competence and transparency were not applied to drainage and water management.

Samuel Acquah of Nima posed the question now echoing nationwide:

“How much exactly was withdrawn from the grant to manage the Greater Accra environment sector? The former Minister needs to come forward and clear her name.”

Call for Judicial Scrutiny Intensifies

Public pressure has reached a tipping point, with many urging President John Dramani Mahama to activate judicial mechanisms to probe the former Minister’s stewardship of the World Bank grants.

Citizens are demanding a transparent inquiry into how the funds were utilised.

They argue that if Madam Dapaah is found innocent, she should be exonerated—but if culpable, justice must be served.

This demand is amplified by the lingering controversy surrounding her exit from government, during which millions of dollars were allegedly discovered in her residence—sparking money‑laundering investigations that remain unresolved in the public eye.

With questions still swirling around the origin of those funds, calls for a full audit of the World Bank grants have intensified.

A Path Forward

As Accra continues to grapple with the aftermath of the floods, many citizens are calling for a revival of the GKMA‑SP model—one built on technical expertise, transparency, and strict oversight—to prevent future disasters.

For countless Ghanaians, the message to leadership is clear: The era of impunity must end, and every cedi of donor funding meant to protect lives must be accounted for.

Stay tuned as Correspondent King Amoah continues to track developments on the Accra flooding crisis and the mounting pressure for government intervention.