The Minority in Parliament has called for an urgent briefing from the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on measures being implemented to prevent disease outbreaks following the devastating floods that have claimed at least 12 lives and affected more than 38,000 people across the country.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, June 30, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said Parliament must be updated on the government’s public health response, warning that the flooding had created conditions that could trigger the rapid spread of communicable diseases.
“Overflowing sanitation facilities create conditions for the rapid spread of communicable diseases,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
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According to him, the Minority wants the Health Minister to provide details of measures being taken to monitor flood-affected communities for early signs of disease outbreaks, as well as the emergency medical supplies deployed to affected areas.
He said the Minister should also brief Parliament on the disease surveillance systems in place to detect and respond swiftly to any public health emergency arising from the floods.
The Minority further requested information on the government’s overall preparedness to manage potential disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the disaster.
Beyond the immediate health concerns, Afenyo-Markin accused the government of implementing policies that have worsened environmental degradation and increased the country’s vulnerability to flooding.
He alleged that the government’s GoldBod initiative and the Bank of Ghana’s Gold-for-Reserves programme had indirectly encouraged illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, destroying wetlands, watersheds and river systems that naturally help reduce flooding.
“The Minority holds the government accountable for the galamsey policy that is contrary to its own campaign promise and is contributing to the disaster it is now claiming to be responding to,” Afenyo-Markin said.
His remarks come as government agencies continue rescue, relief and recovery efforts in flood-hit communities following the heavy rains that caused widespread destruction in parts of Greater Accra and other affected regions.