Suhum MP Blames Government For Deadly Accra Floods, Demands Compensation For Victims

Suhum Member of Parliament, Hon. Frank Asiedu Bekoe, popularly known as ‘Protozoa’, has held government responsible for Monday’s deadly floods, describing the disaster as the result of “systematic failure” in waste management and sanitation.

Speaking to the media in Parliament, the MP said the flooding claimed lives and destroyed property because the state failed in its duty to protect citizens. He urged President John Dramani Mahama to pay compensation to all affected families.

“May their souls rest in peace”

Expressing condolences, Mr. Bekoe said:

“I have learnt that some people have lost their lives as a result of the flood. May their souls rest in peace.”

He argued that governments collect taxes precisely to provide development and safeguard lives and property, and that the state failed to do so this time.

*“Not just heavy rainfall, but poor sanitation”*

The legislator said the floods were not caused by rain alone, but by years of neglected sanitation systems.

According to him, Assemblies receive sanitation funds but lack the equipment and staff needed to do the work. He also blamed the absence of adequate landfill sites, which he said has pushed some residents to dump refuse indiscriminately. That, he added, has blocked drains and increased flood risk.

He questioned whether Assemblies even have tipper trucks and other logistics to manage waste effectively, despite past allocations for sanitation.

Referencing comments by Local Government Minister Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim on calls by some Civil Society Organizations to channel waste management funds directly to Assemblies, Mr. Bekoe asked whether that policy has delivered results.

The MP noted that Ghana has a long history of heavy rains and major floods, citing 1933, 1960, July 1995, June 3, 2015, and more recently 2020, 2021 and 2022.

He said the recurring nature of the disaster shows it is predictable and should be managed through proper planning and effective sanitation.

*“Government should bow its head in shame”*

Mr. Bekoe called on President Mahama to mobilize resources to compensate all flood victims, especially families who lost relatives and those whose homes and businesses were destroyed.