The World Bank has identified fiscal restrictions introduced by Ghana’s Ministry of Finance as a key reason for delays in implementing the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, despite funds being available for the programme.
In its latest implementation update published in May 2026, the World Bank downgraded the project’s implementation rating to Moderately Unsatisfactory, citing financing bottlenecks that slowed execution.
“The implementation of GARID has been significantly constrained by fiscal measures introduced by the Ministry of Finance during 2025,” the report stated.
The findings come as renewed attention is being placed on Ghana’s flood management systems following the devastating floods of June 29, which claimed at least 12 lives and caused widespread destruction across parts of Accra.
Backed by $350 million in financing, the GARID Project is designed to reduce flood risks, improve solid waste management and strengthen urban resilience across selected metropolitan and municipal assemblies in the Greater Accra Region.
According to the World Bank, while progress toward the project’s development objectives remains largely on track, operational implementation has fallen behind schedule.
The report noted that engineering designs for most approved infrastructure projects have been completed, except for the Ayidan landfill. However, contractor delays and unresolved decisions regarding underperforming contracts have slowed execution.
The World Bank further disclosed that fiscal restrictions introduced in 2025 created significant liquidity challenges after the Ministry of Finance imposed limits on project disbursements and temporarily swept GH¢13.8 million from GARID’s designated account.
According to the report, the move delayed payments to contractors, disrupted project timelines and increased the risk of cost overruns, procurement delays and resettlement setbacks.
Despite the challenges, the World Bank said government has begun taking corrective measures. Following an implementation support mission in February 2026, the Ministry of Finance processed a $10.5 million withdrawal application—the first since November 2023—and later restored the GH¢13.8 million to the project account in March 2026.
The Bank, however, cautioned that although funding remains sufficient to complete the project, liquidity pressures continue to pose risks to the timely delivery of critical flood mitigation interventions.
