The government has earmarked GH¢492.5 million to provide relief and support to communities affected by recent natural disasters in Ghana. The announcement was made by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, during the presentation of the 2025 Budget Statement to Parliament in Accra.
A total of GH¢200 million has been allocated to assist victims of tidal waves in Agavedzi and surrounding communities in the Ketu South Constituency, where over 300 people have been affected, 50 homes destroyed, and 80 kilometers of coastline devastated.
In addition, GH¢292.5 million has been designated for relief efforts in response to the Akosombo Dam spillage, which displaced an estimated 35,857 people, including children, according to a UNICEF report.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) released water from the Akosombo Dam in 2023 as a preventive measure to stop it from overflowing. However, the spillage led to severe flooding, submerging low-lying communities in districts such as North and Central Tongu.
Following the disaster, President John Mahama visited the tidal wave-hit Ketu South in the Volta Region, reaffirming his government’s commitment to accelerating the sea defense project to protect coastal communities from future devastation.
The allocation of funds reflects the government’s effort to strengthen disaster response mechanisms and provide long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters on vulnerable populations.
