The Minority in Parliament is demanding an urgent update from the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on the government’s response to possible disease outbreaks following Monday’s severe flooding across parts of the country.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin called on the Health Minister to appear before Parliament and provide a detailed briefing on measures being taken to protect residents in affected communities.
He warned that the floods, which have displaced thousands and caused significant damage, could create conditions for the spread of waterborne and other infectious diseases if not properly managed.
According to the Minority, more than 38,000 people have been affected by the disaster, while at least 12 deaths have been recorded. They say urgent public health interventions are needed to prevent a secondary crisis in the coming days.
The caucus is also asking the Health Ministry to outline the country’s preparedness for early detection, response, and containment of any potential disease outbreaks linked to contaminated water sources, overcrowded shelters, and poor sanitation in flood-hit areas.
Beyond the immediate health concerns, the minority leader also criticised government policies, accusing them of worsening environmental degradation and contributing indirectly to the severity of the floods.
He specifically pointed to initiatives such as the GoldBod programme and the Bank of Ghana’s Gold-for-Reserves policy, arguing that they have unintentionally encouraged illegal mining activities.
According to him, illegal mining has led to the destruction of water bodies and weakened natural drainage systems, increasing flood risks.
The Minority maintains that the government must take responsibility for policies they believe have undermined efforts to curb illegal mining and protect the environment.
Meanwhile, emergency response teams continue to provide relief and support to victims in affected communities. Food supplies, shelter assistance, and medical outreach efforts are ongoing as authorities work to stabilise the situation.
Public health experts have repeatedly warned that flooding in densely populated areas can quickly lead to outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and other communicable diseases if sanitation conditions are not urgently addressed.
