The World Bank has attributed delays in the implementation of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project to fiscal control measures introduced by the Ministry of Finance, noting that these measures have significantly slowed progress on one of Ghana’s key flood mitigation programmes in the capital.
In its most recent implementation update released in May 2026, the Bank downgraded the project’s execution performance to “Moderately Unsatisfactory,” pointing to ongoing funding constraints even though the project remains fully financed.
The report stated, “The implementation of GARID has been significantly constrained by fiscal measures introduced by the Ministry of Finance during 2025,”. The assessment comes in the wake of the severe floods of June 29, which claimed at least 12 lives and reignited concerns over Accra’s persistent drainage and flood management challenges.
The $350 million GARID initiative is designed to support Ghana’s efforts to improve flood risk management, strengthen solid waste systems, and boost urban resilience across selected metropolitan and municipal assemblies in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.
The programme includes five main components: drainage and flood control infrastructure, solid waste management, urban upgrading, institutional coordination, project management, and emergency response systems.
According to the World Bank, implementation on the ground has lagged significantly behind initial plans, despite the project’s financial backing.
However, the Bank noted that progress toward achieving the project’s overall development objectives remains broadly in line with expectations.
