By Daniel Bampoe
Former Vice President and 2028 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on the government to consider declaring a state of emergency in response to the devastating floods that have claimed lives and displaced hundreds of residents across the Greater Accra Region.
Speaking after touring some of the worst-hit communities in Accra, Dr. Bawumia described the flooding as a national tragedy that requires an urgent, coordinated and non-partisan response from government, emergency agencies and the public.
His visit comes in the wake of one of Accra’s worst flood disasters in recent years, following hours of torrential rainfall that submerged major roads, homes, businesses and markets, leaving at least nine people dead, destroying property worth millions of cedis and forcing hundreds of residents from their homes.
Addressing the media during the tour, Dr. Bawumia expressed deep sorrow over the destruction caused by the floods and extended his sympathies to families who had lost loved ones and property.
“It’s a tragedy, and this is a tragedy for all of Ghana. It isn’t a tragedy just for Accra. It is a tragedy for all of Ghana,” he said.
According to the former Vice President, the scale of destruction demonstrates that the flooding is no longer a localised challenge but a national emergency requiring immediate intervention.
He disclosed that during his visit he was informed that a body believed to be one of the flood victims was still lying unattended nearly a day after the disaster.
“I’ve been told that there is a dead body that has yet to be picked up. We are calling on the authorities, NADMO and the Police to come together and make sure that the dead body is picked up. It’s really unbelievable that it hasn’t been done since yesterday,” he stated.
Beyond the immediate humanitarian response, the former Vice President cautioned against politicising the disaster, stressing that the country’s focus should be on finding lasting solutions rather than engaging in partisan exchanges.
“I don’t want what is happening to break down into a partisan battle amongst the parties. There’s a real issue of flooding facing the Greater Accra Region, and that issue requires immediate and urgent solutions,” he stressed.
He urged political leaders, engineers, hydrologists, urban planners and all relevant stakeholders to work together in addressing the perennial flooding challenge.
According to him, with weather forecasts predicting additional rainfall in the coming days, government must adopt extraordinary measures to minimise further loss of life and property.
Dr. Bawumia therefore proposed that the government consider declaring a state of emergency to enable a more coordinated national response to the unfolding crisis.
“I believe that the government could also consider even declaring a state of emergency so that we deal with this in that particular format. This is a real big problem for this country, and we have to put all our energies, all our talents, all our engineers and all the hydrologists together. Let us do it for Ghana,” he said.
He stressed that the flood crisis should unite the nation rather than divide it along political lines.
“This is for Ghana. Let us come together for Ghana,” he added.
The former Vice President also called for immediate humanitarian assistance for affected families, many of whom have lost their homes, personal belongings and sources of livelihood.
According to him, flood victims urgently require food, clothing, mattresses and other essential relief items to enable them to rebuild their lives.
“People need food. People don’t have clothes. People don’t have mattresses. Let us make sure that we come immediately to their aid,” he appealed.
Dr. Bawumia pledged to personally support the relief effort by donating items to affected communities, while encouraging individuals, businesses, religious organisations and civil society groups to contribute towards assisting victims.
“Myself, I will try and help in the small way I can with some of these relief items. But I think that we are one country, and our communities are in need. We should all chip in to help,” he said.
His comments come as emergency agencies continue rescue, relief and recovery operations across flood-ravaged communities.
Government has already announced emergency interventions, including the release of funds through the National Disaster Management Organisation to support victims, while President John Dramani Mahama has pledged longer-term measures such as demolishing structures obstructing waterways, improving drainage systems and implementing broader flood mitigation strategies.
