Former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Titus Glover, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s directive ordering Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in flood-prone areas to submit detailed reports on measures being implemented to address perennial flooding.
According to Glover, the directive is unnecessary and amounts to a waste of time and resources, arguing that successive governments already possess extensive data and reports on the country’s flooding challenges.
Speaking in an interview, the former minister questioned the rationale behind requesting fresh reports when several studies, assessments and recommendations have already been compiled over the years by state institutions and local authorities.
“Flooding in Ghana is not a new issue. There are enough reports, enough recommendations and enough expert opinions available. Asking MMDCEs to prepare new reports is simply a waste of energy,” he stated.
Glover maintained that what the country needs is not more documentation but decisive action to implement existing recommendations aimed at preventing floods, particularly in major urban centres such as Accra, Kumasi and other vulnerable communities.
His comments come in the wake of recent flooding incidents that affected several parts of the country following heavy rains. The floods led to the destruction of property, displacement of residents and renewed public concern over the effectiveness of government interventions.
President Mahama recently directed all MMDCEs in identified flood-prone districts to provide comprehensive updates on drainage projects, desilting exercises, enforcement of building regulations and other flood mitigation measures being undertaken within their jurisdictions.
The directive forms part of government efforts to strengthen preparedness and develop a coordinated national response ahead of the peak rainy season.
However, Glover believes the focus should be on ensuring that available resources are channelled into practical interventions, including dredging drains, enforcing planning regulations and removing structures that obstruct waterways.
He further stressed that political leaders must demonstrate commitment to implementing long-standing flood prevention strategies rather than commissioning reports that may ultimately gather dust on office shelves.
The former minister’s remarks have added to the growing debate over the most effective approach to tackling Ghana’s persistent flooding problem, a challenge that continues to claim lives and cause significant economic losses during every rainy season.
As discussions continue, many Ghanaians are looking to both national and local authorities for concrete action that will provide lasting solutions to the recurring floods that affect communities across the country.
Source
