Parliament Told to Prioritise Flood Control Funding – Haruna Iddrisu

The single sharpest fact is that Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has urged Parliament to allocate more funds to tackle Ghana's recurring flooding challenges.

Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, stressed that the failure by the House to allocate sufficient funds to the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources would amount to failing in their duty to the nation. He was speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday. Iddrisu's remarks come at a time when heavy rains have once again exposed vulnerabilities in the country's flood management systems, sparking renewed debate on the need for Parliament to prioritise disaster prevention and mitigation in national budget allocations.

Flooding has remained a persistent challenge in Ghana, particularly in urban centres such as Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, where poor drainage systems, rapid urbanisation, and inadequate infrastructure have exacerbated the problem. Successive governments have pledged interventions, but limited funding and political contestations have often hindered sustained progress. According to Iddrisu, the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration was unable to resolve the flooding problem during its eight years in office. He therefore wondered how the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government under President John Mahama could be expected to resolve it within two years.

Iddrisu urged members of Parliament to approach the issue of flooding devoid of partisan considerations, emphasizing that the phenomenon is a national crisis that requires collective responsibility and long-term investment.

Flooding has resulted in significant losses for Ghanaian citizens, with many homes and businesses destroyed or damaged. In 2022, the government declared a state of emergency in several areas affected by flooding, with President Nana Akufo-Addo pledging to provide relief to affected communities. Iddrisu's remarks add to the growing pressure on Parliament to address the issue of flooding, which has become a major concern for many Ghanaians.

Flooding has become a major concern for many Ghanaians, with many calling for urgent action from government. Iddrisu's remarks have added to the growing pressure on Parliament to address the issue, which is seen as a national crisis requiring collective responsibility and long-term investment.

The government has pledged to provide relief to affected communities, with President Akufo-Addo declaring a state of emergency in several areas. However, the issue of flooding remains a persistent challenge for Ghana, with many homes and businesses destroyed or damaged. Iddrisu's remarks highlight the need for urgent action from government to address the issue.