You’ve spent $200m to check flooding but there is nothing to show – Mahama slams gov’t

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has criticized the government’s flood prevention and management efforts following recent heavy downpours in Accra and other parts of the country.

In a Facebook post, the former President expressed disappointment that despite significant investments in flood mitigation, many areas still suffer from severe flooding even with minimal rainfall.

“Considering the huge sums of money allegedly spent by this government on draining the Odaw and other flood prevention interventions, the present situation is distressing. According to the government, $200 million was spent on the Greater Accra Resilient Integrated Development Programme (GARID).

“While the impact of that huge amount and its intervention have yet to be felt, parliament was recently recalled to approve another $150 million for the same GARID.

Mahama stressed the importance of prioritizing the protection of citizens’ lives and properties, stating that “The current administration has failed in this regard.”

Recent rainstorms have continuously brought to light Ghana’s failure to set up efficient drainage systems to avert flooding.

The Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development project (GARID) is the first in a series of projects designed to build the resilience of the national capital with the intial phase covering a five-year period (2020-2025).

The goal of the project is to improve flood risk and solid waste management in the Odaw River basin of the Greater Accra region and improve access to basic infrastructure and services in the targeted communities within the Odaw River Basin.