Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has called on the government and citizens to adopt a deliberate, well-funded approach to end Ghana’s persistent flooding, asserting that “leadership is cause, all others are effect.”
Speaking in Parliament in response to a statement on flooding by Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, the MP argued that the nation cannot continue to suffer losses from rain that could be managed through infrastructure and planning.
Hon. Darko-Mensah pointed to the natural flow of water into the capital, noting, “If you have rain from the mountains, it will flow into the Accra region. And that is what is happening.”
He argued that technical solutions require adequate financing, stating, “We need some engineering as well. We need to raise the money to do it. Without raising the money Mr. Speaker we will not be able to do some of these things.”
Beyond capital projects, the MP stressed the importance of routine maintenance and civic responsibility, warning that without daily cleaning, drains and waterways will quickly become overwhelmed.
“On this note Mr. Speaker I believe that we should clean every day. We should build infrastructure and also change our mindsets so that this country do not suffer these consequences again,” he said.
Hon. Darko-Mensah placed responsibility squarely on leadership to address these systemic failures.
“But like I said earlier leadership is cause. All others are effect,” he told the House.
Drawing a philosophical line on the need for purposeful action, he added: “The opposite of poverty is not wealth. The opposite of poverty is intentionality. It is not about emotions. And therefore if we are prepared, if we are prepared to find the solutions now and create a new reality for the Ghanaian people, we have to be intentional about it.”
He concluded by urging Parliament to support coordinated measures combining engineering works, sustainable funding, and civic responsibility to prevent further loss of life and property.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
