The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has issued a forceful call for a dedicated and legally protected fund to combat Africa’s escalating flood risks, urging governments to move beyond reactive disaster management strategies and prioritize proactive measures. Speaking in an exclusive interview with the BBC’s Focus on Africa, Dr Agyemang highlighted the urgent need for a fundamental shift in approach, advocating for a comprehensive funding model designed to bolster prevention, preparedness, and resilience across the continent. He emphasized that existing early warning systems, while effective, are hampered by insufficient financing and coordination, preventing authorities from acting decisively before disasters materialize. ‘Most often, on the continent, there are effective early warning systems for many of these flood disasters. But the truth of the matter is that governments are unable to respond effectively to those early warning signs because of the financing regime,’ he stated, referencing a lack of consistent and substantial funding allocated to disaster risk management. Dr Agyemang proposed an integrated funding model, drawing resources from government budgets, mineral revenues, corporate taxes, levies across board, and donor support, arguing that this would foster long-term financial reserves and facilitate proactive investment in flood resilience. He envisions a system where governments could establish financial reserves and invest strategically, with the funding driving sustainable development. ‘Instead of relying on central government budgets to fund disasters, governments can establish an integrated funding approach, where apart from the central annual budget, you have sources of revenue like mineral resources, corporate taxes, levies across board, and donor partners,’ he explained. His proposal follows a series of devastating floods that have impacted West Africa, including Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrating the growing frequency and severity of these events. In Ghana, at least 12 people were confirmed dead, while thousands of households were affected following torrential rains, prompting Dr Agyemang to argue that a reactionary approach to disaster management was unsustainable. ‘Why should African governments always be waiting for donations to support victims anytime disaster strikes on the continent?’ he asked. ‘That is reactionary. That is why we have to be intentional and in-depth about a more domestically sustainable funding regime to tackle disasters on the continent.’ He further identified weak institutional coordination, political interference in urban planning, and low insurance penetration as key barriers to effective flood resilience. Dr Agyemang cited flood reinsurance arrangements in the United Kingdom and the United States’ National Flood Insurance Program as examples of risk-pooling mechanisms that African countries could learn from. ‘These are tried and tested disaster risk management systems that have survived over the decades that Africa is refusing to learn from,’ he said. He warned that the impact of flooding extends beyond deaths, destroyed homes, and damaged infrastructure, potentially creating conditions for the spread of waterborne diseases and straining already stretched public health systems. ‘Malaria is still rising, waterborne vectors such as cholera cases are rising, typhoid, diarrhoea are all public health impacts of floods,’ he stated, emphasizing the need for a more proactive and resilient flood mitigation strategy. He urged for integrated economic planning to incorporate risk prevention or flood prevention as an investment rather than an emergency expenditure. He concluded by calling for sustained advocacy to persuade African governments to adopt a more proactive approach to disaster management, stressing that the continent must no longer afford to wait until disasters occur before mobilizing resources. ‘African leaders will have to be up and doing because flood disasters have come to live with us and we have to stop the reactionary attitude towards disasters,’ he said. ‘We cannot neglect the safety of our people. We have to stop the reactionary attitude towards disasters.’ Dr Agyemang further addressed the allegations that GWL denies claims of withholding river turbidity and pollution data, asserting that Alima Mahama Refund is a challenge to the authority of Governor, Dr. Alima Mahama, and that only the Auditor-General can determine the accuracy of data. He emphasized the need for a legally backed disaster risk management fund to provide essential resources for drainage, flood control, emergency response, and other preventative measures. ‘If it is not backed by legislation, member states or governments can take the funds and use them for any other thing,’ he said. He continued by stating that his reviews had not identified any African country currently operating a legally backed disaster risk management fund of the type he was proposing. ‘What we need is to come to the realisation that it cannot be the same over and over again and we expect a different result,’ he said. He concluded by advocating for sustained advocacy to persuade African governments to adopt a more proactive approach to disaster management, warning that the continent could no longer afford to wait until disasters occur before mobilizing resources. ‘African leaders will have to be up and doing because flood disasters have come to live with us and we have to stop the reactionary attitude towards disasters,’ he said. He reiterated that Africa already possessed significant knowledge and tools to build stronger disaster resilience, but needed greater commitment to applying them. ‘Disaster has come to live with us and we have to find a sustainable way of managing it,’ he said. He urged the government to consider strengthening the existing disaster risk management fund, emphasizing that this is a critical investment in the future of the continent. He concluded with a call for sustained advocacy to persuade African governments to adopt a more proactive approach to disaster management, warning that the continent could no longer afford to wait until disasters occur before mobilizing resources. The MP also addressed the challenges of ensuring equitable access to resources and funding, particularly in vulnerable regions, stressing the importance of prioritizing local needs and strengthening governance structures.””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
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Source: Adom Online
