$65m GARID flood protection funds diverted to COVID-19 activities under Akufo-Addo – Finance Ministry

The Ministry of Finance has accused the previous Akufo-Addo administration of misdirecting $65 million meant for a flood protection project to support COVID-19-related activities.

Frederick Amissah, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, revealed that the funds were part of the World Bank-funded Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, aimed at addressing flooding challenges in the Greater Accra Region.

On JoyNews' PM Express on Monday, July 6, Mr. Amissah refuted claims that delays in releasing funds contributed to challenges affecting the project.

'There haven't been any delays in the release of funds, and I just don't know where that is coming from,' he stated.

He highlighted that GARID was among several World Bank loan-funded projects undertaken by the state and emphasized the need for accountability, since such facilities must be repaid by taxpayers.

Mr. Amissah disclosed that the John Dramani Mahama administration discovered several instances of what he described as inappropriate use of borrowed funds after assuming office in 2025.

He pointed out that the diversion of funds originally allocated for development projects had implications for the implementation of those initiatives and the country's debt obligations.