The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo invested more than GH₵550 million in flood control projects aimed at reducing the impact of recurring floods across Ghana.
The claim was made by the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, who argued that the previous government undertook major drainage and flood mitigation projects in flood-prone communities, particularly in the Greater Accra Region.
His remarks come amid renewed public debate over flooding after recent heavy rains caused widespread disruption in parts of Accra and prompted fresh calls for long-term solutions.
Ahiagbah Highlights Flood Mitigation Projects
In a public statement, Ahiagbah said the Akufo-Addo administration committed substantial resources to flood prevention through drainage expansion, desilting exercises and engineering works designed to improve stormwater management.
According to him, the investments formed part of a broader strategy to reduce flooding and strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable communities.
He also pointed to the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, a World Bank-supported initiative, as one of the flagship programmes implemented during the previous administration to improve flood management infrastructure.
Previous Figure Revised
Ahiagbah’s latest statement follows earlier public comments in which he referenced a lower investment figure of GH₵450 million for flood control interventions.
In his most recent remarks, however, he said the total investment exceeded GH₵550 million, suggesting that the higher figure reflects the full scope of projects undertaken during the Akufo-Addo administration.
The NPP has not publicly detailed the breakdown accounting for the revised amount in the latest statement.
Major Drainage Projects Cited
As part of his defence of the previous government’s record, Ahiagbah listed several infrastructure projects that he said were undertaken to address persistent flooding.
These include drainage improvements along the Odaw River, works at Achimota-Abofu, South Kaneshie, the Busia Highway drainage project, and the construction of detention ponds at Atomic East and Atomic West.
He argued that many of these projects were already in progress before the change of government and require continued maintenance and completion to deliver their intended benefits.
Calls for Continuity
Ahiagbah maintained that tackling flooding requires sustained investment rather than isolated interventions.
According to him, successive governments should prioritise the continuation and maintenance of existing flood control projects to improve their long-term effectiveness.
He argued that addressing urban flooding depends not only on new infrastructure but also on preserving and expanding projects already underway.
The comments come as Ghana continues to grapple with seasonal flooding, particularly in Accra, where heavy rainfall frequently causes damage to homes, businesses and road networks.
Experts have consistently identified blocked drains, rapid urbanisation, poor waste management and development along waterways as some of the factors contributing to recurring floods.
Government agencies have recently intensified drain-clearing exercises and emergency response efforts while announcing plans to strengthen flood prevention measures.
Although Ahiagbah’s comments have added to the public discussion over past investments, the effectiveness and long-term impact of flood control projects remain part of a broader national conversation on improving Ghana’s resilience to extreme weather.
