MINORITY DEMANDS URGENT HEALTH BRIEFING OVER FLOODING, WARNS OF DISEASE OUTBREAKS

The Minority  in Parliament, has called for an urgent briefing from the Minister for Health over the growing risk of disease outbreaks following recent flooding in several parts of the country.

Addressing the media on Tuesday 30th June, 2026 their leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin warned that the widespread flooding has evolved beyond an infrastructure challenge into a serious public health emergency that requires immediate government intervention.

Referring to the tragic June 3, 2015, disaster, he cautioned against repeating past mistakes through inaction. "Ghana paid too high a price that night to watch history repeat itself through nothing more than official negligence," he stated.»

The Minority Leader expressed concern that stagnant floodwaters, mixed with uncollected refuse and overflowing sanitation facilities, have created conditions conducive to the outbreak of infectious diseases.

He warned that affected communities face an increased risk of communicable, water-borne, and vector-borne diseases, including cholera and typhoid, if swift preventive measures are not taken.

To avert a major public health crisis, Hon. Afenyo-Markin urged the Minister for Health to appear before Parliament and provide a comprehensive update on the government's preparedness and response efforts.

He said the briefing should specifically address:

- Measures being implemented to monitor flood-affected communities for early signs of disease outbreaks.
- The quantity and distribution of emergency sanitation supplies, safe drinking water, and essential medical resources deployed to affected areas.
- The readiness of emergency medical teams and disease surveillance systems to respond swiftly to any outbreak.

Hon. Afenyo-Markin concluded by stressing that Ghanaians deserve transparency and decisive action, warning that the country cannot afford a preventable public health emergency on top of the devastating impact of the recent floods.