Flood response sparks heated NDC–NPP debate on government preparedness
NPP and NDC communicators clash over responsibility for Ghana’s flooding crisis, while both agree on the need for long-term, non-partisan solutions.
The government’s response to Ghana’s recent flooding dominated discussions on The Big Mike Breakfast Show on Friday, July 3, as representatives of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) traded arguments over preparedness, accountability and long-term solutions to the country’s recurring flood disasters.
A member of the NPP Communications Team for the Navrongo Central Constituency, Bawa Zakari Bonwilla, criticised President John Dramani Mahama, alleging that the President had changed his position on the causes of flooding after assuming office.
According to him, the NDC campaigned on the promise of addressing the country’s flooding challenges but has now attributed the problem largely to natural factors and human activities.
“During the campaign, they told Ghanaians they had the solutions to these problems. Today, President Mahama is saying it is God and human activities. If you had no solution, why did you tell Ghanaians you had one?” he questioned.
Bonwilla further argued that the previous NPP administration initiated major drainage and flood-control projects aimed at addressing perennial flooding, alleging that some of those interventions were discontinued after the NDC assumed office.
He, however, stressed that flooding should not be politicised.
“Flooding is a natural disaster. When it occurs, we should not seek political advantage from it. Government must treat flooding as a national challenge and invest in lasting engineering solutions,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the NDC, Communications Team member for the Navrongo Central Constituency, Richard Akanyele, rejected the NPP’s criticism, arguing that the previous administration had eight years in office but failed to provide a lasting solution to the country’s flooding problem.
“The hypocrisy and double standards of the NPP baffle me. You spent eight years in government and have not been able to tell Ghanaians what practical solution you implemented to tackle flooding,” he stated.
Akanyele explained that the June 29 flooding resulted from exceptionally heavy rainfall, the effects of climate change, inadequate drainage infrastructure and indiscriminate human activities.
He maintained that the government had already begun implementing measures to reduce the impact of flooding before the recent incident occurred.
“We have started taking deliberate decisions to deal with this flooding issue. The demolition exercise had already begun before the incident, and government is determined to implement measures that will prevent a recurrence,” he said.
He also called on Ghanaians to complement government efforts by adopting responsible environmental practices.
“Attitudinal change is critical. If we do not change our behaviour, we cannot resolve this problem. We all have a responsibility because flooding affects every Ghanaian, regardless of political affiliation,” he added.
Although both representatives disagreed over which administration bears greater responsibility for the recurring floods, they agreed that Ghana’s flooding challenge requires sustained, long-term and non-partisan solutions to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama
