Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, stated that no amount of fiscal discipline can justify the 37 lives lost in recent floods. He criticised the government's handling of recurring flood disasters, arguing that delays in implementing critical flood-control projects are inexcusable.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah’s remarks follow government explanations that expenditure controls, a measure to restore macroeconomic stability, were behind project delays. He insisted that protecting lives must take precedence over fiscal consolidation. The Ofoase-Ayirebi Member of Parliament emphasised that economic gains mean little to families mourning lost loved ones.
This renewed criticism comes as Ghana grapples with extensive flooding. Torrential rains submerged communities and destroyed homes and businesses. This disaster highlights the country's ongoing vulnerability to perennial flooding. Experts and development partners have repeatedly warned about the need for sustained investment in resilient infrastructure.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, speaking on JoyNews, described the government’s defence as “a very sad argument.” He stated, “For the 37 people who have lost their lives, no amount of fiscal discipline or improved economic indicators will bring them back.” He also highlighted that many flood-control projects are financed through development partners, not solely the national budget.
The implications of delayed project implementation extend beyond fatalities, with thousands losing homes and livelihoods. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah urged the government to directly address implementation challenges. He called for an end to shifting responsibility to institutions like the Ghana Meteorological Agency or the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Concerns from the World Bank regarding funding delays for critical flood-control interventions must be addressed. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah welcomed the government's GHS 300 million allocation for flood-related interventions. However, he cautioned that parliamentary approval alone does not guarantee successful implementation. Drawing on his experience as a former minister, he explained that often, approved funds are disbursed too slowly. This prevents implementing agencies from executing projects effectively.
He criticised the government’s earlier decision to centralise funds from ministries, departments, and agencies into the Single Treasury Account. This policy, he argued, disrupted ongoing projects by depriving implementing institutions of allocated resources. Government later had to return funds to these agencies, creating avoidable bureaucratic bottlenecks that slowed project execution. The Minority Caucus calls for close parliamentary monitoring of these new funds. This monitoring will ensure timely release and utilisation to prevent further delays in vital flood mitigation efforts.