Former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has called for strict oversight in the distribution of drought relief funds intended for farmers in Northern Ghana.

Speaking at a rally in Ayorya, Kintampo South District of the Bono Region, Mr Mahama stressed the importance of ensuring that the GH¢500 million requested by the government from the contingency fund reaches those who truly need it, without any political bias.

Mr Mahama urged the government to prioritise transparency and accountability, urging that local chiefs be actively involved in the distribution process to prevent any potential misuse of the funds.

He voiced concerns about the possibility of funds being diverted to benefit sympathisers of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), drawing comparisons to alleged mismanagement of previous relief funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He advised the government to involve local chiefs in the process to help ensure that the funds reach the right people.

He also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by farmers due to the drought and called on Parliament to swiftly approve the relief funds to provide timely support to those affected.

“The NPP has made things difficult and because of their bad luck, it didn’t rain this year. As we speak, Parliament is yet to approve compensation for the drought victims. We won’t allow them to share the funds among themselves like they did with the COVID funds.

The support must reach the intended beneficiaries, and we’ll be watching closely. The chiefs must be allowed to be part of the distribution process” he stated.