The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has blamed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for the recent flood-related deaths in Ghana, arguing that the tragedy could have been prevented if the NPP had remained in office.
Speaking during an interview, Ahiagbah claimed that the lives of the 34 people who reportedly died as a result of the recent floods would have been saved had the previous administration continued implementing its flood mitigation and drainage improvement projects.
“Those 34 people would still be alive if the NPP had won the election,” he stated, accusing the current government of failing to maintain momentum on disaster prevention and emergency preparedness.
According to Ahiagbah, the former NPP administration invested heavily in flood control infrastructure, including drainage expansion, desilting exercises, and other climate resilience projects aimed at reducing the impact of heavy rains in flood-prone communities.
He alleged that the current government has not given sufficient priority to these interventions, contributing to the devastating consequences witnessed during the recent downpours.
The comments come amid growing public concern over the widespread flooding that affected parts of the country, leaving dozens dead, displacing residents, and destroying homes, businesses, roads, and other public infrastructure.
Ahiagbah called on the government to take immediate steps to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve drainage systems, and enforce planning regulations to prevent future flooding.
The remarks have sparked political debate, with supporters of both the NPP and the governing NDC offering differing views on responsibility for the disaster. While some have defended Ahiagbah’s criticism, others argue that flood management requires long-term national planning that extends beyond any single administration.
The government has not officially responded to Ahiagbah’s comments, but it has pledged to support affected communities through relief operations while continuing assessments of the damage caused by the floods.
Disaster management authorities have meanwhile urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant as the rainy season continues, warning that additional heavy rainfall could increase the risk of further flooding.
The recent tragedy has renewed calls from civil society organizations and urban planning experts for sustained investment in drainage infrastructure, stricter enforcement against illegal construction on waterways, and greater public education on flood preparedness.
