As reported on The Forum, a weekend news analysis show on Asaase 99.5 Accra, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) disclosed that a minimum of 31,000 individuals across nine districts have been displaced due to the release of excess water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
The ramifications of this overflow have been significant, with widespread destruction of crops, the closure of schools, and a noticeable economic standstill, particularly in Mepe, which serves as the epicenter in the Volta Region. This situation has also affected parts of the Eastern and Greater Accra regions.
“We have moved most of the affected people to a safe haven. About 31,000 people have been displaced,” NADMO deputy director general Seji Saji told Wilberforce Asare on Saturday (21 October).
During the same program, George Ayisi, the spokesperson for NADMO, reported that relief operations were progressing as planned, and he appealed to compassionate Ghanaians to contribute to these efforts. He mentioned that they have already established 20 safe shelters to accommodate some of the displaced individuals, emphasizing that they are working diligently to ensure that the contaminated water in the affected area is not used.
The Volta River Authority (VRA), which operates the dam, has taken several measures to assist the affected population.
They have provided mobile toilets and are collaborating with the Ghana Health Service to set up mobile clinics to care for the displaced individuals.
These efforts include sending 14 mobile toilets to Mepe and 10 to Adidome in North Tongu, along with the restoration of the water supply system to the Aveyime community.
The additional mobile toilets are intended to alleviate the pressure on the existing toilet facilities in the safe shelters. VRA has equipped these toilets with biodegrading units to help control cross-contamination. They have also pledged to provide more toilet facilities to other affected communities in the lower Volta Basin.
Collaborating with NADMO, VRA has already distributed relief items to flood victims, including canned food, rice, sugar, toiletries, boats, and hot meals.
Furthermore, the Minority in Parliament is urging the government to promptly address the needs of flood disaster victims by relocating them to the Saglemi housing project.
“We have Saglemi sitting idle, the government must ensure that they house the people of these 11 affected communities for this constituency properly. We are suggesting that as a matter of urgency, they can relocate them temporarily to the Saglemi Housing project,” the Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson said during a tour of the flooded communities on Friday (20 October).
President Nana Akufo-Addo has set up a committee to coordinate ongoing rescue efforts.
Ghana’s meteorological service has forecast more rains this year as the West African country experiences a marked increase in the frequency and unpredictability of weather events, amid warnings linked to climate change.