Finance Ministry releases GH¢350 million for flood relief and mitigation following Mahama directive

The Ministry of Finance has transferred GH¢350 million from the Contingency Fund to the National Disaster Management Committee to finance emergency relief operations and flood mitigation measures following the devastating floods that recently affected parts of Ghana.

The release of the funds forms part of the government's emergency response after President John Dramani Mahama directed Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to mobilise resources to assist flood victims, support affected communities and strengthen measures to reduce the impact of future flooding.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the withdrawal was carried out in line with Article 177 of the 1992 Constitution, which governs the use of Ghana's Contingency Fund.

Before authorising the release, the Finance Minister sought and obtained approval from Parliament through its Finance Committee, ensuring that the disbursement complied with the country's constitutional and financial management procedures.

Following Parliament's approval, Dr. Ato Forson instructed the Controller and Accountant-General to transfer the approved amount to the National Disaster Management Committee for the implementation of the National Emergency Flood Response Programme.

The Ministry disclosed that the Controller and Accountant-General subsequently opened a dedicated account for the National Disaster Management Committee at the Bank of Ghana, into which the full GH¢350 million was transferred.

The government said the establishment of the dedicated account is intended to facilitate the transparent management and timely disbursement of funds for emergency response activities.

Out of the total allocation, GH¢200 million has been earmarked for immediate humanitarian assistance to flood victims and affected communities across the country.

The funds will support the provision of emergency relief items, temporary shelter, food supplies and other interventions aimed at assisting households displaced by the floods.

The remaining GH¢150 million will finance flood mitigation projects designed to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding in vulnerable communities through improvements in drainage infrastructure and other preventive measures.

The Ministry said the transfer gives effect to President Mahama's directive for an immediate and coordinated national response to one of the country's worst flooding disasters in recent years.

Government says the funding will not only accelerate ongoing relief efforts but also support longer-term investments aimed at improving Ghana's resilience to extreme weather events and reducing the devastating impact of future floods.

The latest intervention comes as emergency agencies continue rescue, recovery and damage assessment operations in flood-affected communities while authorities work to restore normalcy and assist thousands of residents impacted by the disaster.