President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance to immediately release GH¢300 million from the Contingency Fund to support urgent flood relief and mitigation efforts following severe flooding in Accra and other parts of the southern sector of the country.
The decision comes in response to hours of unusually heavy rainfall which caused widespread flooding, leaving several communities affected and disrupting transport and other socio-economic activities.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency Communications, GH¢150 million out of the amount will be allocated to immediate relief interventions for individuals and communities impacted by the floods. The remaining GH¢150 million will go into flood mitigation measures aimed at reducing future flood incidents across affected areas.
President Mahama has also directed 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.
Following heavy rains on Monday, the president undertook an aerial tour of flood-hit areas in Accra to assess the extent of the damage and announced additional coordinated measures aimed at safeguarding residents and preventing further flooding.
The directive was communicated by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications.