ACCRA, Ghana, 8th July: President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the National Security Council to assess the impact of the recent floods that affected seven regions across the country and to review the government’s ongoing response to the disaster.
The Council received comprehensive briefings from the Post-Flood Mitigation Task Force and its various subcommittees on the extent of the devastation, ongoing relief operations, and measures being implemented to support affected communities.
Addressing the meeting, President Mahama said the widespread flooding, particularly in the southern coastal areas of the country, made it imperative for government to convene the National Security Council to assess the situation and coordinate a comprehensive national response.
The President disclosed that even before the floods occurred, government had established an Anti-Flood Task Force to implement preventive measures aimed at reducing the impact of heavy rains.
According to him, the task force undertook limited dredging of major waterways and drainage channels ahead of the rainy season. However, he noted that the intensity and volume of rainfall recorded during the period exceeded what the existing drainage systems and mitigation measures could withstand.
President Mahama acknowledged that while flooding remains a natural phenomenon experienced in many parts of the world, governments have a responsibility to minimise its impact through effective planning, infrastructure development and disaster preparedness.
“While we may not be able to completely eliminate flooding because it is a natural disaster that occurs in many parts of the world, we can certainly take steps to reduce its impact and prevent it from becoming as devastating as what we have witnessed,” he stated.
The National Security Council also reviewed progress on post-flood recovery interventions, mitigation strategies and coordinated plans aimed at strengthening Ghana’s disaster preparedness, improving drainage infrastructure, and reducing the impact of future flooding incidents.
The meeting forms part of government’s broader efforts to provide relief to affected communities, restore damaged infrastructure and implement long-term measures to build resilience against climate-related disasters.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭