President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that about 48,000 people have been displaced and 12 lives lost following the devastating floods that hit Accra and parts of Ghana’s Zazacoastal regions, while announcing that government has begun implementing relief and recovery measures.
Speaking after bilateral talks with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio in Accra, President John Dramani Mahama said the Sierra Leonean leader’s visit was intended to express solidarity with Ghana over the disaster and to hold consultations ahead of the upcoming Economic Community of West African States Summit in Freetown.
“I wish to warmly welcome, on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, our brother, the President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, on this visit to Accra,” President Mahama said.
He noted that President Bio had “come to commiserate with us on the loss of lives and the displacement of many people as a result of the heavy downpour we experienced earlier this week” and conveyed the sympathies of the Government and people of Sierra Leone.
The President explained that the severe weather affected several West African countries.
“Accra and parts of the coastal regions were severely inundated by a heavy rainstorm that affected not only Ghana but several countries stretching from Gabon through Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire,” he said.
According to President Mahama, the floods have had a devastating humanitarian impact.
“Our preliminary assessment indicates that about 48,000 people have been rendered homeless by the floods. We have also confirmed 12 fatalities, while seven people remain unaccounted for,” he stated.
To restore normalcy, the President said government had directed the Ghana Armed Forces and the Joint Task Force to begin emergency operations.
“The military has already deployed to critical locations to clear waterways, remove debris and clear refuse washed across the city by the floods,” he said, adding that government expects “normalcy will be restored within the next week or two.”
President Mahama also announced that the Minister for Finance has released money from the Contingency Fund to support flood mitigation and relief operations.
He said the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and partner agencies would soon begin distributing relief items including blankets, mattresses, tents, towels and other essential supplies to affected families.
On regional matters, President Mahama said discussions with President Bio also focused on preparations for the forthcoming ECOWAS Summit in Freetown.
“We used the opportunity to discuss several agenda items, including the security situation within the sub-region and other important matters that will come before the Summit,” he said.
Expressing gratitude for the visit, President Mahama said President Bio’s gesture reflected Africa’s enduring spirit of solidarity.
“It is in keeping with the African tradition that when a neighbour or a member of the family experiences tragedy, others stand with them in solidarity and offer their sympathy,” he said.
“We therefore welcome President Bio as a brother, a fellow African and a member of our wider family, and we deeply appreciate his message of sympathy and support.”
Story: Patrick Asfo
