Government reallocates GH¢576 million for flood relief and mitigation measures

The Government has redirected GH¢576 million within the 2026 Budget to support emergency flood response and strengthen flood mitigation efforts following the devastating floods that struck Greater Accra and other parts of the country in June.

Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said the Government had initially sought parliamentary approval to withdraw GH¢350 million from the Contingency Fund to finance emergency interventions.

According to him, the Finance Committee approved the request on June 30, 2026, in line with Article 177(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

However, Dr Forson disclosed that the funds could not be accessed because the Contingency Fund had been placed under a garnishee order by an Accra High Court.

He explained that, in response to the urgent need to provide humanitarian assistance, safeguard lives and restore critical infrastructure damaged by the floods, the Government reallocated GH¢350 million from the Contingency Vote in the 2026 Budget.

The amount has since been transferred to the Disaster Management Committee under the Ministry of the Interior to support emergency relief operations.

In addition, the Finance Minister announced that GH¢226 million had been reallocated within the budget of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to finance flood control and mitigation projects across the country.

The two reallocations bring the total amount earmarked for flood response and prevention to GH¢576 million.

Dr Forson said the funding forms part of the Government's broader strategy to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve flood resilience and reduce the impact of future flooding on vulnerable communities and critical national infrastructure.