Former Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has revealed that the Akufo-Addo administration invested GH¢540 million in flood control programmes over its eight years in office to help reduce the impact of flooding across the country.
According to the Bantama Member of Parliament, a significant portion of the investment was channelled into the construction and rehabilitation of drainage infrastructure, as well as other interventions aimed at strengthening Ghana’s capacity to manage and mitigate flooding.
Speaking at a Capacity Building Workshop for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Accra, Mr. Asenso-Boakye called on the Mahama administration to sustain and expand investments in flood prevention initiatives, particularly in flood-prone communities within the capital.
He stressed that while infrastructure development remains critical to addressing recurring floods, strict enforcement of planning regulations and settlement schemes is equally important.
“In the eight years of the Akufo-Addo Administration, the government committed GH¢540 million towards flood control programmes. I am urging this government to continue on that path because it is necessary. But a critical part has to do with regulatory measures and strictly adhering to settlement planning schemes,” he stated.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye noted that effective flood management requires a combination of physical infrastructure and robust enforcement of development regulations to prevent unauthorised construction in waterways and other vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee, Queenstar Pokuah Sawyerr, reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at addressing the persistent flooding challenges facing Accra.
She indicated that the Committee is keen to evaluate how Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies are responding to flood-related issues and identify policy measures that could strengthen disaster preparedness and protect communities at risk.
Her remarks underscore growing concerns over recurring floods in the capital and the need for coordinated interventions involving government agencies, local authorities and urban planning institutions.
