Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has pushed back against criticism from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the government’s handling of recurring floods, saying the issue cannot be resolved within a short period.

His comments follow renewed political debate after recent flooding in parts of the capital, Accra, with both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP trading blame over the persistent problem.

Mr Iddrisu questioned why the NPP expects the current administration to resolve a long-standing national challenge within two years, when it was not addressed during the party’s eight years in office.

Flooding in Ghana, he said, is a decades-old issue that requires sustained planning, investment and collaboration rather than political point-scoring.

“The expectation that this can be solved within such a short time is unrealistic,” he said, adding that the government remains committed to implementing long-term measures to reduce the impact of flooding.

The minister acknowledged the urgency of the situation but stressed that lasting solutions would take time. He called on the public to support efforts to improve drainage systems, enforce planning regulations and promote responsible environmental practices.

Mr Iddrisu also emphasised the need for continuity in policy implementation and a collective national approach to tackling the problem, rather than partisan criticism.

By Mariam Alhassan