The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has called for the dismissal of Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson over allegations surrounding the use of funds under the World Bank-funded Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) project.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Mr Nana B alleged that a World Bank report had indicated that more than $300 million allocated for flood management and sanitation interventions had not been used for its intended purpose.
He questioned why Dr Ato Forson remained in office despite the recent flooding incidents that claimed lives and destroyed properties across parts of the country.
“The reports from the World Bank indicate that over $300 million was brought into the country and taken to the Finance Ministry for waste management, but that money has not been used for that purpose. So why is Ato Forson still at post? He must be sacked,” he said.
Mr Nana Boakye said President John Mahama would have demonstrated strong leadership by removing the Finance Minister if he were committed to accountability.
“If President Mahama is very firm and strong, Ato Forson must be sacked. How can you remain in office when over 40 people have died through flooding?” he questioned.
He argued that the situation could have been different if the funds had been properly utilised to improve drainage systems and flood prevention measures.
“If we had used that money for its intended purpose, there is no way people would have died and lost their properties. Some people do not even have a place to sleep until now because of the floods,” he added.
The NPP executive further questioned why the Finance Minister remained in office when, according to him, some Ghanaians had repeatedly raised concerns about his leadership.
“Why is it that people are always saying that Ato Forson is a problem? These are issues that must be looked at,” he said.
The comments follow devastating floods on June 29, which affected seven regions of Ghana, with the Greater Accra Region being the hardest hit. The disaster resulted in several deaths, while six people remain unaccounted for.
The GARID project, funded by the World Bank, is aimed at improving flood risk management, drainage systems, solid waste management and infrastructure development within the Odaw River Basin.
The World Bank has committed more than $300 million to the project through different financing phases, including an initial $200 million credit facility and an additional $150 million financing agreement signed in June 2024.
The government has not yet responded to Mr Nana Boakye’s allegations.
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