Former Anyaa-Sowutuom MP, Dickson Adomako Kissi, has renewed calls on President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a substantive Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, warning that the prolonged vacancy at the ministry is hampering efforts to tackle the country’s worsening flood situation.
His appeal comes amid persistent flooding in several parts of the country, which has heightened concerns over disaster preparedness, environmental management, and long-term flood prevention strategies.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily, he expressed concern that nearly 10 months after the death of former sector minister Mohammed Murtala in a helicopter crash, the ministry remains without a substantive head.
He argued that the continued absence of leadership at the ministry sends the wrong message about the importance government places on environmental issues and disaster prevention.
According to him, appointing a minister would signal a stronger commitment to addressing flooding and improving coordination of preventive measures before disasters strike.
“I really think that, as a way of sending a signal to Ghanaians that the ministry is important, the President should appoint someone and demonstrate leadership so that evacuation efforts and flood prevention can be taken seriously. These are urgent matters, and actions must be taken to prevent further flooding,” he stated.
He further underscored the need for closer collaboration between environmental and security agencies to effectively confront challenges such as illegal mining, poor drainage infrastructure, and other factors contributing to recurring floods across the country.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organisation (National Disaster Management Organisation) has revealed that recent floods, mudslides, landslides, and building collapses in the Central Region have resulted in 18 deaths and affected more than 5,000 people across 13 districts.
The Central Regional Director of NADMO, Kwesi Dawood, disclosed that 377 residents have been displaced following the collapse of 58 buildings, highlighting the growing human and economic toll of extreme weather events in the region.
