Former Vice President and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has urged government to consider declaring a state of emergency as more rains have been forecast to fall in the coming days.
He expressed worry that if pragmatic steps are not taken, the country will be caught off-guard regarding the predicted heavy rains.
“What is worrying for me is that the forecasts are even forecasts of more rains to come and if there is going to be more rain, I believe the government could consider even declaring a state of emergency so that we deal with this in that particular format,” he told journalists on Tuesday, June 30 when he toured some affected areas in the Ga South municipality.
To him, the flood disaster is a “real” problem for the country.
Heavy rains on Monday left many residents homeless as millions of Cedis of property were lost. Lives were also lost.
The former Vice President described the situation as a national tragedy.
“This is a tragedy for all of Ghana,” he noted.
“It isn’t a tragedy just for Accra or here in Ngleshie Amanfro, it is a tragedy for all of Ghana and flooding as we have seen has caused a lot damage. We have lost lives.”
He called on authorities, particularly the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Police Service, to come together and help all victims.
“I don’t want what is happening to break down into partisan politics,” he cautioned.
“There is a real issue of flooding facing Greater Accra Region and that issue is something that requires immediate and urgent solutions.”