NEWS

Oppong Nkrumah Launches Hydro Fund to Tackle Ghana’s Flooding Crisis

Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has introduced the Ghana Hydrological Fund, aiming to address the severe and recurring flooding issues in the country.

Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

Speaking at the opening of the Built Environment National Conference on Housing and Hydrology (BENCHH) 2024 at the Labadi Beach Hotel, the Minister highlighted the critical need for sustainable solutions to the flooding problem, particularly in the Greater Accra Region.

He noted that only a minimal 2% of the required drainage channels have been properly lined, underscoring the urgent necessity for extensive infrastructure development.

The Hydro Fund is designed to create a structured financial framework to expedite essential projects such as drainage construction and dredging, providing a proactive approach to mitigate flood risks and improve water management.

Beyond flooding, Minister Nkrumah addressed the nation’s significant housing shortfall, currently estimated at a deficit of 1.8 million units. He acknowledged the challenges in delivering affordable housing due to funding constraints and delays in project completion, often aggravated by unfinished initiatives from previous administrations. To bridge this gap, he advocated for strong public-private partnerships and proposed offering incentives to private developers to stimulate large-scale affordable housing projects.

During the BENCHH 2024 conference, discussions are set to focus on regulatory reforms and the establishment of a Works Inspectorate Unit to ensure adherence to building and safety standards. The Ministry intends to provide comprehensive reports on government initiatives, achievements, and challenges while seeking innovative input from stakeholders.

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Minister Nkrumah emphasized the importance of sustainable funding, announcing a GHS 1.5 million seed allocation for the Hydro Fund. He called on all stakeholders, including development partners, to support the fund, highlighting its role in expediting crucial projects like drainage construction and dredging.

He expressed optimism about the outcomes of BENCHH 2024, stressing the potential of collaborative efforts to drive significant progress in addressing Ghana’s housing and hydrology challenges. He encouraged participants to engage actively in discussions and contribute their expertise to develop actionable strategies to comprehensively tackle these issues.