The Minority Caucus in Parliament has pledged its support for government's proposed GH¢300 million flood relief package but is demanding strict parliamentary oversight and full accountability for how the funds will be spent.
Addressing a press conference, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the Caucus supports efforts to provide emergency assistance to victims of the recent floods but stressed that every cedi allocated must be accounted for.
He argued that while emergency relief is necessary, it cannot replace long-term measures needed to prevent recurring floods.
“Compassion for the victims of this crisis and accountability for the government that failed to prevent it are not mutually exclusive. Both are necessary, and the Minority insists on both,” Afenyo-Markin said.
The Effutu MP called on the government to submit a detailed report to Parliament outlining how the proposed GH¢300 million will be allocated and managed.
According to him, the report should identify beneficiary communities, specify the relief and flood mitigation projects to be undertaken, disclose the contractors involved and demonstrate compliance with procurement and public financial management laws.
The Minority also wants the funds to be split into separate allocations for humanitarian relief and flood mitigation to enable effective parliamentary scrutiny.
It is proposing that the GH¢150 million earmarked for direct support to flood victims be accounted for separately from the GH¢150 million allocated for drainage improvement and other flood prevention projects.
Afenyo-Markin said the demand for accountability stems from previous emergency interventions where public funds were spent without comprehensive reports on their utilisation.
He maintained that Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to ensure transparency, particularly when emergency funds are released under expedited procedures.
The Minority said it would support genuine efforts to assist flood victims while insisting on rigorous oversight to ensure the funds reach their intended beneficiaries and contribute to lasting solutions to Ghana's recurring flood problem.
The Caucus also urged the government to prioritise long-term investments in drainage infrastructure, urban planning and flood prevention to reduce the impact of future disasters.