The Minority in Parliament is calling for a full and transparent breakdown of how government intends to utilise the GHS350 million approved from the Contingency Fund to support victims of Monday’s devastating floods.
The funds comprise GHS200 million earmarked for emergency relief supplies and GHS150 million designated for flood prevention and mitigation efforts.
At a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said while the allocation was appropriate given the scale of the disaster, government must provide a detailed, itemised expenditure plan to ensure accountability and public confidence.
The floods reportedly affected more than 38,000 people, displaced over 7,000 households, and resulted in 12 deaths.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also urged government to ensure that affected communities outside Accra are not excluded from relief interventions.
He criticised what he described as inadequate preparedness for the rainy season, arguing that the situation exposed weaknesses in the work of the Anti-Flood Taskforce established last year.
He further linked the severity of the flooding to gaps in waste management systems, citing the government’s decision not to renew contracts with some waste management companies.
The Minority Leader called for a parliamentary inquiry into the preparedness and performance of the Anti-Flood Taskforce, as well as the relevant ministries and agencies responsible for flood control.
He also warned of possible outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid in affected areas, urging the Minister of Health to brief Parliament on preventive measures being implemented.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin expressed condolences to families of the deceased and wished those affected a speedy recovery as recovery and relief efforts continue.
