The Government has announced plans to implement a comprehensive and permanent solution to the perennial flooding in Accra, with funding for the intervention to be provided in the 2027 national budget.
Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, made the announcement on Thursday while presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review to Parliament, following Wednesday night’s devastating floods that claimed lives, displaced residents and caused extensive damage across parts of the capital.
Opening his statement, the Finance Minister expressed sympathy to victims of the disaster and assured Parliament that government had already initiated emergency response measures under the direction of President John Dramani Mahama.
“Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge the disaster that struck last night. The floods and their cost are expensive,” Dr. Forson told the House.
He said government had visited affected communities, released emergency relief funds to support victims, and made additional resources available for ongoing dredging and the construction of critical drainage infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
Dr. Forson further disclosed that President Mahama has directed the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to develop a comprehensive, long-term strategy to permanently address flooding across the country.
“The President has directed the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to develop a comprehensive and permanent solution to flooding in the country,” he stated.
According to the Finance Minister, the required funding for implementing the flood mitigation programme will be captured in the 2027 Budget Statement, underscoring government’s commitment to ending the cycle of annual flood disasters.
“The necessary funding for the implementation of this permanent solution will be provided in the 2027 budget,” he added.
The announcement comes amid renewed public concern over the recurring devastation caused by heavy rains in Accra, where inadequate drainage systems, unplanned development along waterways and poor waste management continue to worsen flooding.
No Supplementary Budget
Dr. Forson also announced that government would not seek additional funding through a supplementary budget to finance the remainder of the 2026 fiscal year.
Instead, he said the government would realign existing budgetary allocations to priority sectors to meet emerging needs while maintaining fiscal discipline.
The Minister explained that the approach is intended to ensure efficient use of public resources without increasing the overall expenditure envelope.
Strong Economic Outlook
Setting the tone for the Mid-Year Budget Review, Dr. Forson expressed confidence in Ghana’s economic performance, describing the past one and a half years as a period of significant progress.
“Mr. Speaker, I stand before this House with a deep sense of pride and confidence, born out of strong performance in the last one and a half years,” he said.
The 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review is expected to provide Parliament with an update on the implementation of the national budget during the first half of the year, covering revenue mobilisation, expenditure performance, debt management, and the country’s macroeconomic outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year.
By: Christian Kpesese
