The Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has criticized the government, deeming the allocated GH¢220 million for assisting victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage as ‘woefully inadequate.’
The government, as outlined in the 2024 budget presented on Wednesday, November 15, earmarked this amount to support relief efforts for communities affected by the floods resulting from the Akosombo Dam spillage.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta mentioned that supplementary resources would be assigned through the Ministry of Agriculture to aid in the restoration of livelihoods. However, Mr. Agbodza contends that the GH¢220 million allocation is insufficient to fully restore the lives of the victims.
“GH¢220 million, what is it supposed to do? Is it supposed to rebuild schools, hospitals, resettle teachers, key workers who have been displaced, and repair roads? What is it supposed to do? So that money is woefully inadequate to do anything,” he complained.
He, however, noted that if the allocation is mainly to provide relief, he doesn’t have a case, adding that “if it is supposed to be part of reconstruction, rehabilitation and compensation, then, it is a drop in the ocean.”
Mr. Agbodza also voiced concern about the 2024 budget’s failure to address the sea defense situation in the Volta region.