The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, and his wife, Vera George, who serves as the CEO of the Dzata Foundation, have made a generous donation of GHS 10,000, 400 kilograms of rice, and various other supplies to aid the victims of the Akosombo Dam-Induced flood.
The items were presented to Citi FM for distribution to the affected individuals. During the handover of the items on Wednesday, October 25th, Mrs. Vera George expressed their commitment to offering support to those affected by this unfortunate situation as a modest gesture of care and compassion.
“We heard about the situation, and we feel and understand the plight of the victims, and we needed to contribute something little to support them in this difficult time. We hope this will go a long way to help ensure some relief is brought to them,” she said.
Since the spilling commenced on September 15, the Volta River Authority has begun releasing excess water due to the elevated levels in the Akosombo and Kpong hydro dams. Nonetheless, in the subsequent weeks, numerous residents along the Lower Volta Basin have watched their homes and farms overwhelmed by the floods resulting from this intentional spillage.
Several districts, encompassing South, Central, and North Tongu in the Volta Region, have been at the forefront of this crisis. The communities of Battor, Tefle, Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, and Anlo have been inundated.
The impact on the affected individuals has been profound, with over 26,000 people rendered homeless and displaced, according to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NaDMO).
In solidarity, various organisations, institutions, and political leaders have offered relief items and support to the stricken communities.
The Government, under the purview of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, has allocated a sum of GH¢5 million to address the road infrastructure in regions affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage.
This allocation encompasses maintenance activities, including any necessary repairs to the Lower Volta Bridge, commonly referred to as the Sogakope Bridge, in order to rectify any damage caused by the spillage.
Also, Agric Minister, Bryan Acheampong, has directed that $40 million of World Bank support funding be given to farmers in the Volta Region who have lost their farmlands as a result of the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.
Meanwhile, the Volta River Authority (VRA) says it has expended a total of GH¢9 million thus far to alleviate the suffering of the 36,000 individuals affected by the flood caused by the Akosombo Dam spillage.
This sum is a portion of the GH¢20 million fund earmarked to address the challenges faced by residents in nine districts across the Volta and other regions.