Former Anyaa-Sowutuom Member of Parliament, Dickson Adomako Kissi, has renewed calls on President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a substantive Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, arguing that the prolonged vacancy at the ministry is undermining efforts to address the country’s growing flood challenges.
His appeal comes as parts of the country continue to grapple with recurring floods, raising concerns about preparedness, environmental management and disaster prevention measures.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Tuesday, June 23, Mr Kissi said the absence of leadership at the ministry nearly 10 months after the death of the former sector minister, Mohammed Murtala, in a helicopter crash, sends the wrong signal about the importance of environmental issues.
According to him, filling the vacant position would demonstrate government commitment to tackling flooding and coordinating preventive measures before disasters occur.
“I really think that, as a way of sending a signal to Ghanaians that the ministry is important, the President should appoint someone and demonstrate leadership so that evacuation efforts and flood prevention can be taken seriously. These are urgent matters, and actions must be taken to prevent further flooding,” he stated.
The former legislator also stressed that stronger coordination between environmental and security agencies is essential to addressing the impact of illegal mining activities, poor drainage systems and other factors contributing to flooding across the country.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has disclosed that recent flooding, mudslides, landslides and building collapses across the Central Region have claimed 18 lives and affected more than 5,000 people in 13 districts.
The Central Regional Director of NADMO, Kwesi Dawood, said the disasters have also displaced 377 residents following the collapse of 58 buildings across the region, underscoring the growing human and economic cost of extreme weather events.
