The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called for sweeping reforms to Ghana’s flood management system following the Accra floods, arguing that the current structure is ineffective and lacks clear leadership.
In a statement issued on June 29, 2026, and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the opposition expressed sympathy for residents and businesses impacted by the floods while urging the government to prioritise long-term structural solutions over temporary interventions.
The flooding in Accra affected several communities, including the N1 Highway, Apenkwa, Achimota, Kaneshie, Weija, Spintex, Darkuman Junction and the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, once again raising concerns about the capital’s vulnerability during heavy rains.
The NPP argued that the recurring disasters point to deeper governance and institutional weaknesses. According to the party, flood management responsibilities are currently spread across multiple government institutions, creating overlaps, slowing decision-making and weakening emergency response efforts.
The party questioned the existing coordination framework, particularly the reported involvement of a Deputy Chief of Staff in supervising flood response activities, insisting that disaster management should be led through clearly defined institutional structures with unambiguous lines of authority.
The NPP also alleged that several flood mitigation projects announced by the government have either stalled or have not been fully implemented, citing funding constraints and poor execution as factors affecting progress.
It further criticised remarks attributed to President John Mahama during a town hall meeting abroad, where he reportedly linked some flooding incidents to human behaviour. The opposition maintained that while public cooperation is important, the primary responsibility for flood prevention rests with the government through effective planning, drainage infrastructure and enforcement of development regulations.
As part of its proposals, the NPP called for all flood management responsibilities to be consolidated under a single ministry or lead agency with a clearly defined mandate. It also demanded a comprehensive public account of the activities, decisions and expenditure of the government’s anti-flood task force.
The party further recommended stronger collaboration between the central government, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, engineers, environmental experts and urban planners to address drainage deficiencies, sanitation challenges and unregulated development that contribute to perennial flooding.
The statement concluded by reaffirming the NPP’s support for families and businesses affected by the floods and pledged to continue scrutinising the government’s response while advocating reforms aimed at preventing future disasters.
By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang
