President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance to release GH¢300 million from the Contingency Fund to finance urgent flood relief and mitigation efforts.
The directive forms part of government’s response to the flooding of parts of Accra and other communities in the southern sector of the country after hours of unusually heavy rainfall.
GH¢150 million out of the amount will finance urgent relief efforts for flood-affected persons and communities in the southern sector of the country.
Another GH¢150 million will be spent on flood mitigation measures aimed at reducing incidents of flooding.
The President has also directed the deployment of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces and Police
to work with NADMO and other security services in the rescue and relief operations currently
underway across the city.
The President earlier Monday undertook an aerial tour of the flooded areas to assess the full extent
of the situation and announced a raft of steps being taken to safeguard residents and prevent
further flooding.
Among this is a new city to be planned to decongest Accra by way of relocating some major government set-ups.