GH₵1.5m seed money allocated To Hydrological Fund

Government has set up Ghana Hydrological Fund, a crucial initiative aimed at mitigating flood risks and improving water management across the nation.
With a seed of GH₵1.5 million, government expects stakeholders including development partners to make financial contributions to support the fund.
Works and Housing Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah launched the Fund as government takes a significant step towards addressing its perennial housing and flooding challenges with the opening of the Built Environment National Conference on Housing and Hydrology (BENCHH) 2024.
The conference promises insightful discussions on shaping a sustainable future for Ghana’s housing and water management sectors.
Addressing a diverse assembly of government officials, industry experts, and development partners, Mr Oppong Nkrumah emphasized the critical need for sustainable funding to tackle Ghana’s flooding problems.

Appeal to stakeholders for funds
He called on all stakeholders, including development partners, to contribute towards the success of the fund, highlighting its role in expediting essential projects such as drainage construction and dredging.
The Minister underscored the severity of Ghana’s flooding problem, particularly during the rainy season, exacerbated by inadequate drainage infrastructure and the escalating impact of climate change.

Only 2% of concrete drainage works completed
He revealed that only two per cent of drainage channels in the Greater Accra Region, requiring concrete lining, have been addressed, reflecting the urgent need for comprehensive action.
He said climate change and its attendant high levels and irregular patterns of rainfall are set to exacerbate the flooding problems
This, he said the fund aims to provide a structured financial mechanism to expedite necessary projects like drainage construction and dredging help address the country’s flooding problems head-on.
Beyond flooding, Mr Oppong Nkrumah addressed Ghana’s housing deficit, currently standing at 1.8 million units.

Challenges of affordable housing
He acknowledged challenges in affordable housing programmes due to funding limitations and project delays, exacerbated by unfinished projects from previous administrations.
The Minister advocated for robust public-private partnerships, offering incentives to private developers to undertake large-scale affordable housing projects.
During the three-day BENCHH 2024 conference, discussions will include regulatory reforms and the establishment of a Works Inspectorate Unit to ensure adherence to building and safety standards.
The Ministry aims to present comprehensive reports on government initiatives, achievements, and challenges, seeking input from stakeholders on innovative approaches.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah expressed confidence in the outcomes of BENCHH 2024, highlighting the potential of collaborative efforts to drive tangible progress in Ghana’s built environment sector.
He urged participants to actively engage in discussions and contribute their expertise towards crafting actionable strategies that address the nation’s housing and hydrology challenges comprehensively.
Additionally, the Minister announced the establishment of an inspectorate unit within the Ministry.
This unit will focus on ensuring compliance with health and safety standards at construction sites and guaranteeing disability access in all public buildings.

1,446 floods killed 510 in 6 years
Data compiled by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has revealed that flooding in Ghana killed 510 people and injured 309 others between 2015 and 2020.

1,446 flood events
During the six-year period, Ghana recorded 1,446 flood events.
During the same period, 54,744 houses were inundated and 136,563 acres of farmlands destroyed.
Ghana experiences flood disasters every year, resulting in loss of lives and property.
A report by the Auditor-General discovered that each year, from 2015 to 2019, the Hydrological Services Department (HSD) significantly fell short of implementing their target of drainage facilities needed to mitigate flooding nationwide.

Only 12.2km of drains constructed in 6 years
Over the audit period, 12.2 kilometres representing 11% of the targeted 110 kilometres of drains were constructed.

Retention ponds not done
Disappointingly, none of the retention ponds targeted for 18 drainage basins had been done.

Drainage Master Plans not produced
Since 2013, the Hydrological Services Department (HSD) of Ministry of Works and Housing (MWH) had included the production of Drainage Master Plans in the ministry’s sector Medium-Term Development Plans but did not prioritise, plan and budget for their production, the report revealed.