Asenso-Boakye Proposes Dedicated Funding Sources to Address Flooding Crisis

The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated source of funding to combat the escalating issue of flooding in the country.

He called on Parliament to seriously consider allocating a portion of certain statutory funds to enable the Ministry to undertake more interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of flooding across the nation.

In his statement delivered in Parliament on June 29, Asenso-Boakye highlighted the increasing scale of flooding challenges in both traditional flood-prone areas and regions that have not historically experienced such issues.

He stressed that recent incidents of climate change-induced flooding around the world serve as a warning sign, underscoring the necessity for a dedicated funding source to ensure the country’s resilience to climate change effects, both now and in the future.

Asenso-Boakye proposed several potential funding sources that could be tapped into to address the flooding crisis.

He suggested considering the Road Fund, as the condition of drains significantly affects the lifespan of roads. The Sanitation Fund was also mentioned, given the impact of solid waste on drainage capacity. Additionally, the Common Fund could be utilized to establish a holistic and efficient drainage system.

“The Ghana Hydrological Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1085), which was passed with support from both sides of the House makes provision for the establishment of a Hydrological Fund for that purpose,” the Minister added.

By establishing dedicated funding sources, Asenso-Boakye firmly believes that the country will be better equipped to demonstrate unwavering commitment to addressing this long-standing challenge in a comprehensive manner, particularly in the face of ongoing global climate change.