The Government of Ghana has released GH¢350 million to finance emergency relief operations and long-term flood mitigation projects following the recent floods that devastated several communities across the country.
The funding, drawn from the Contingency Fund, has been transferred to the National Disaster Management Committee to implement the National Emergency Flood Response Programme, providing immediate support to affected residents while strengthening measures to reduce the impact of future flooding.
The Ministry of Finance announced that the disbursement follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama, who instructed Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to mobilise resources for relief efforts and interventions aimed at improving the country’s resilience to flooding.
According to the Ministry, the withdrawal from the Contingency Fund was carried out in line with Article 177 of the 1992 Constitution. Before authorising the transfer, the Finance Minister sought and obtained approval from Parliament through its Finance Committee.
Following the approval, the Minister directed the Controller and Accountant-General to release the funds to the National Disaster Management Committee.
To facilitate the process, the Controller and Accountant-General established a dedicated account for the Committee at the Bank of Ghana and transferred the full GH¢350 million into the account.
The Ministry disclosed that GH¢200 million of the allocation has been designated for emergency relief operations, including humanitarian assistance to individuals and communities affected by the floods.
The remaining GH¢150 million will be invested in flood mitigation measures designed to address the underlying causes of flooding and reduce the likelihood and severity of similar disasters in the future.
Officials say the dual allocation reflects the government’s strategy of combining immediate humanitarian support with longer-term infrastructure and disaster prevention initiatives.
The Ministry explained that the release of the funds gives practical effect to President Mahama’s directive for a swift national response to the flooding crisis, ensuring that relief reaches affected communities while laying the groundwork for more sustainable flood management across the country.
The funding comes as authorities continue to assess the full extent of damage caused by the recent floods, which displaced residents, destroyed homes and businesses, and disrupted economic activities in several parts of Ghana. Government officials say the investment is expected to accelerate recovery efforts while supporting initiatives that will help minimise the impact of future flood events.
By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang
