President John Dramani Mahama has hosted the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, in Accra for a one-day state visit focused on Ghana’s recent flood disaster, regional cooperation, and key issues affecting the West African sub-region.
President Bio, who also serves as Chair of the Economic Community of West African States Authority of Heads of State and Government, used the visit to convey his condolences and solidarity with the Government and people of Ghana following the devastating floods that recently swept through parts of the country.
The floods claimed lives, displaced thousands of residents, and caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
Addressing the media after bilateral discussions, President Mahama said the Government had activated the Ghana Armed Forces and the Joint Task Force to support recovery operations, including clearing blocked waterways, restoring affected communities, and assisting flood victims.
He also revealed that the Minister for Finance had released funds from the national Contingency Fund to facilitate emergency relief efforts being coordinated by the National Disaster Management Organisation and other state agencies.
According to President Mahama, preliminary assessments indicate that approximately 48,000 people have been displaced by the floods, while 12 people have lost their lives, with several others still unaccounted for as search, rescue and relief operations continue.
Beyond the flood situation, the two Presidents held high-level bilateral talks on regional security, democratic governance, economic integration, and preparations for the upcoming ECOWAS Summit to be hosted in Sierra Leone.
President Bio expressed his heartfelt sympathy to flood victims and stressed that the growing impact of climate change demands stronger collaboration among West African nations. He called for coordinated efforts to improve urban planning, strengthen disaster preparedness, and build resilience against climate-related emergencies across the region.
The state visit reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between Ghana and Sierra Leone while reinforcing the commitment of both countries to advancing peace, regional integration, economic development, and cooperation within ECOWAS.