A security analyst and Executive Director of Irbard Security Consult, has described the recent loss of life from the 29 June torrential rainfall as a devastating blow to Ghana, renewing calls for a radical rethink of the country’s governance structure.
Irbard Ibrahim stated that the incident was a tragedy, noting that it not only resulted in fatalities but also left numerous people displaced and extensive property destroyed.
“It has been a very difficult period for us as a country,” he said.
The analyst urged the government to confront the perennial flooding crisis decisively.
He noted with concern that despite the catastrophic 3 June fire and flood disaster over a decade ago, few lessons appeared to have been learned.
“We witnessed the 3 June incident about 11 years ago, and now this flooding situation has also occurred in June. When will Ghana take a definitive stand to resolve these flooding issues once and for all?”
Mr Ibrahim proposed that the government take bold, unprecedented steps to tackle the root causes of the problem.
Chief among his recommendations is a proposal for the President to introduce a rotational plan, meaning the capital, Accra, would no longer permanently serve as the sole seat of government.
He argued that a profound change in attitude and mindset is required regarding how Accra is perceived.
Under his proposed system, the President would symbolically and operationally rotate administrative duties across the country’s various regional capitals.
“If the President and his staff move from region to region every three months, it would serve as a powerful psychological catalyst for the public. While we implement this, we are preparing the people for a broader shift,” he explained.
Mr Ibrahim stressed that decentralising the executive branch would naturally ensure that developmental projects are spread more equitably across the country.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the analyst dismissed arguments that the financial cost of such a move would be prohibitive, stating that the price of inaction is far higher.
He pointed out that the 3 June twin disaster and subsequent floods have already cost the nation staggering amounts of money.
He noted that relocating capitals is a tried-and-tested concept globally. New York and Philadelphia once served as the seat of the American government for five and ten years respectively, whilst Abuja provides a clear contemporary example of what it means to pivot away from Lagos.
Even though a brand-new capital cannot be conjured up in the two and a half years remaining of the President’s term, a symbolic gesture would be an excellent start. Operating from the Regional Coordinating Council of each region for one week every quarter could pave the way for moving key ministries, departments, and agencies away from the chokepoint of Accra. When the President moves, the state machinery will learn to adapt and follow.
Furthermore, he warned that the recurring instability seriously undermines international investor confidence in Ghana.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
