The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is demanding a thorough investigation into the Akosombo Dam Spillage flood disaster, which has wreaked havoc on numerous communities.
On September 15, 2023, the Volta River Authority (VRA) initiated controlled spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Dams due to rising water levels caused by heavy rainfall.
However, this controlled spillage has intensified over recent days, submerging multiple communities and leading to the displacement of approximately 26,000 residents.
To address this crisis, an Inter-Ministerial Committee has been established to coordinate government efforts in managing the disaster.
Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the NDC, emphasized the unprecedented nature of this disaster, highlighting that the Akosombo Dam had been spilled in the past without causing such severe devastation to communities.
As a result, the NDC is pushing for a thorough investigation into the causes of the disaster to ensure that proper compensation is paid to the affected communities.
“Since the construction of this dam from 1963 till date we have done many spilling but never caused such a devastation so we the NDC is going to firmly demand investigation into it. Because the amount of rainfall recorded this year is nothing extraordinary. In 1968 it rained more heavily than what we are witnessing. We spilled this Dam in 2010 but never destroyed anybody’s house.so how come that ,this year they delayed the spillage till the situation got out of hand before spilling.so we will investigate all these to find out the cause. If anyone comes here to help you, it is not any favour the person is doing. Those of you along the river sacrificed for Ghana to get power generation so if today they mismanaged the dam compounding your problems, then it becomes responsibility of the state to help you out.”
Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia said this when he joined the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman Thomas Ampem Nyarko ,and some Regional Executives of the NDC over the weekend to distribute relief items from former President John Dramani to the flood impacted communities in the Constituency.
Nketia further rebuked President Akufo Addo, who implied that government might not have supported the people if it considered the voting pattern of the people in the affected communities since they do not vote for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) .
Mr. Asiedu Nketia reminded President Akufo Addo that any assistance provided to the affected communities is not a political favor but a fundamental responsibility of the state.
He emphasized that the residents living along the river made significant sacrifices for the country’s benefit by contributing to power generation through the dam’s construction. Therefore, if the dam’s mismanagement exacerbates their problems and causes havoc, it is the solemn duty of the state to provide support.
“We owe you as a country because your sacrifices giving as power across the country.You were living peacefully before the construction of the dam so if today the dam is causing havoc to you then it requires that the state must find money to help you. So comments that if I we had considered votes we wouldn’t have supported you comment is uncalled for .The money is for the state not for a political party”
Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, contributed financial assistance in addition to the relief items distributed to the victims.
He also issued a health advisory, urging residents along the Volta Lake to boil water before consumption or bathing, as the river is infested with Schistosoma parasites that cause schistosomiasis also known as Bilharzia.
Regrettably, some of the flood victims expressed their frustration, stating that weeks after being displaced, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) had not come to their aid.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
