Former Dormaa East Member of Parliament, Paul Twum Barimah, has criticised the government’s response to the recent floods, accusing it of prioritising public relations over long-term flood prevention measures.
In a Facebook post following the June 28–29 floods that affected parts of Accra, the Volta Region and the Central Region, Mr Barimah argued that the government’s immediate response centred on announcing relief funds, establishing a task force and deploying security personnel, rather than strengthening flood prevention initiatives.
According to him, the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID), a World Bank-supported programme aimed at reducing flood risks, has faced significant setbacks due to inadequate funding.
Mr Barimah alleged that in May 2026, the World Bank downgraded the project’s performance rating to “Moderately Unsatisfactory” after the Ministry of Finance reportedly capped disbursements and transferred GH¢13.8 million from the project’s account, leaving contractors unpaid.
He also claimed that a US$7 million flood early warning system procured several years ago has yet to be activated.
The former MP further alleged that authorities have failed to enforce regulations against encroachment on drainage buffer zones in Accra, despite the continued risk of flooding.
Mr Barimah argued that greater investment should be directed towards preventive infrastructure and disaster preparedness rather than emergency interventions after floods occur.
He concluded by calling for sustained investment in flood mitigation projects, the activation of the flood early warning system and stricter enforcement of drainage buffer regulations to reduce the impact of future flooding.
The government has not publicly responded to the claims made by the former lawmaker.
