Finance Minister donates GHS 2 million to support Akosombo Dam flood victims
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, on behalf of the government, has donated GHS 2 million to support the victims of the flood caused by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.
He made the donation during a visit to the affected areas on Friday, October 27.
The donation was made at the North Tongu District Assembly in Mepe, located in the Volta Region, and it was received by the District Chief Executive, Divine Osborne Fenu.
The Minister for Finance speaking to the flood victims, expressed government’s concern for the affected individuals and explained that the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Volta River Authority (VRA), has provided this financial support to assist with relief efforts and to acknowledge the spontaneous response of Ghanaians to the crisis.
“Let us be encouraged, we at the Ministry of Finance as a family are concerned about what has happened to our brothers and sisters, and so working with the VRA, we have brought something enough of GHS 2 million to be able to support the relief that is going on and to thank Ghanaians for the spontaneous response,” he remarked.
Regarding the flood, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Seji Saji Amedonu, earlier said that the water levels have started dropping.
He said that it would take one week to completely recede given the rate at which the water level is dropping.
“The water started receding about two days ago but there has been a significant drop in the level of the water especially those in the communities which is good news for us.
“What it is telling us is that we are beginning to see the start of the end of this. It might take some time but at the rate at which it is receding if it continues this way, I am very confident that in about a week or so, we will not have that level of water in the communities again.
“Even if this water completely recedes some works have to be done before the people can move back into those buildings because the level of contamination of that water is quite high,” he stated.
Flood-displaced residents sleeping in schools and makeshift structures will have to endure a bit longer.
This is because the government has yet to make a decision on whether or not to relocate those affected permanently or put up more robust shelters to accommodate them.
Over the past two weeks, victims of the flood caused by the spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams have called for government and donor assistance in resettlement efforts, amidst proposals by the Minority in Parliament for the relocation of the victims to the stalled Saglemi housing project.
Deputy Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, at a media briefing however indicated that tests are being conducted to determine if the affected areas are conducive enough for resettlement.
“People are there testing the water to see whether the places affected are still habitable. It is that information that will inform some decisions by the committee,” he quipped.
