Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Director of Communications for the Bawumia Campaign Team, asserts that the current Mahama administration has no clear or comprehensive strategy to address Accra's recurring flooding. He stated this during an appearance on JoyNews' AM Show on Monday. Mr. Aboagye criticised the government for lamenting the situation rather than outlining practical solutions for affected residents.
Mr. Aboagye stressed that leaders must safeguard citizens' welfare, safety, and prosperity. He said governments are accountable for delivering on these expectations. Citizens entrust their resources and rights to elected leaders expecting direction and national progress. Mr. Aboagye believes the current administration fails to provide a clear roadmap for resolving Accra's flood challenges, despite knowing the city's vulnerabilities.
Accra's persistent flooding causes significant economic disruption. Businesses suffer losses, infrastructure damage is common, and property values in flood-prone areas decline. The cost of recovery and mitigation efforts places a substantial burden on public finances, diverting funds from other critical development projects. This ongoing challenge affects thousands of residents annually, displacing families and disrupting daily life and economic activity.
“A country entrusts its resources, freedoms, and rights to a select few so that they can guide the people and lead them towards prosperity, growth, and safety,” Mr. Aboagye stated. “So when the leaders we have given that responsibility are merely lamenting to us, it becomes a serious problem.” He called the situation 'hopeless' without a clear roadmap from the government.
The Bawumia campaign spokesperson further dismissed suggestions that the current administration is only now understanding the scale of Accra's flooding problem. He noted that President John Dramani Mahama has previously served as president. This means he has first-hand knowledge of the issue. Mr. Aboagye highlighted the devastating June 3, 2015, disaster. This event claimed many lives and caused widespread destruction following severe flooding and an explosion. He argued that the tragedy should have provided crucial lessons for future flood mitigation efforts. Mr. Aboagye questioned the effectiveness of measures announced after 2015. Former President Mahama had pledged to 're-engineer Accra' and established a committee to address the situation. The continued occurrence of severe flooding raises questions about whether these past interventions achieved their goals.
Mr. Aboagye noted that many Ghanaians supported President Mahama's return to office. They believed his experience would help him tackle long-standing national challenges more effectively. Experience was a central theme in President Mahama's campaign message, influencing voters' confidence. The president's substantial electoral victory, with a 1.7 million vote difference, reflected these high expectations. Mr. Aboagye questioned why the government is still identifying flood-prone areas months into its tenure. He insisted such assessments should have been completed given President Mahama's prior experience. He urged the government to focus on practical solutions and clear timelines. He added that they should stop blaming citizens for building in waterways. The responsibility for preventing future flooding and ensuring effective urban planning lies with state institutions. These bodies must provide residents with a clear strategy and measurable actions.