Deputy Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has noted that the government will replace the damaged properties of citizens who have been adversely affected by the recent spillage of dams in the country.
Communities such as Battor, Tefle, Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, and Anlo, have been submerged after the Volta River Authority (VRA) began spilling the Akosombo Dam on September 15, 2023.
The toll on the affected people has been devastating, with over 26,000 individuals rendered homeless and displaced, according to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NaDMO). Businesses such as fish ponds have been washed away.
Reacting to the devastation caused, Fatimatu Abubakar noted that government would be able to completely access the magnitude of harm caused to offer assistance.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, October 24, the Deputy Information Minister noted some segments of government such as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Roads and Highways have made financial pledges and contribution to assuage the plight of victims.
In the event that their support is insufficient, the Central government will intervene as stated by President Akufo-Addo during his visit to Mepe to access the extend of the harm caused by the spillage, Fatimatu Abubakar said.
“The nature and quantum of what has happened can fairly be known after the water levels are completely down and then the technical people can be sent in to access.
“If it is not sufficient, because this is ongoing, as and when the assessment requires that we inject some resources into some particular areas to ensure they are able to get their farms back, fish ponds back, government will do that.
“This was mentioned by the president at Mepe, last week. He mentioned that he is aware that schools have to close down. He is aware that some farms have been lost. He is aware that some people have lost their fish ponds and we are going to commit everything to make sure we restore those properties that have been lost,” she said.
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.