The Ghana Hydrological Authority has made a startling revelation, stating that it requires a staggering $5 billion to effectively address the country’s perennial flood problems. This announcement comes after the authority received a mere GH¢92 million under the National Flood Control Programme in 2023, a sum it considers grossly insufficient.
Dr. John Kissi, Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, emphasized the need for the $5 billion during a session of the Assurance Committee in Parliament on Wednesday. He stressed that the funds are crucial for comprehensive flood prevention and management measures across the nation.
Dr. Kissi explained that the authority’s current allocation is woefully inadequate, given the scope of the flood challenges facing the country. The GH¢92 million received in 2023 was used to undertake flood mitigation works across the country, but Dr. Kissi noted that this was merely a drop in the ocean.
The authority has conducted a thorough assessment of the flood-prone areas across the country and estimates that $5 billion is needed to address the challenges comprehensively. This amount, Dr. Kissi explained, would be used to implement flood prevention and management measures in every city, town, and region of the country.
The CEO’s statement highlights the enormity of the flood problem facing Ghana and the need for a concerted effort to address it. The Ghana Hydrological Authority’s plea for $5 billion serves as a wake-up call to the government and stakeholders to prioritize flood prevention and management measures to mitigate the devastating effects of flooding on communities and the economy.
