TIG Post

Tag: Akosombo and Kpong Dams

  • Akosombo Dam spillage victims are yet to be fully compensated by govt – Ablakwa

    Akosombo Dam spillage victims are yet to be fully compensated by govt – Ablakwa

    North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed concerns about the delayed compensation for hundreds of victims affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage in Tongu.

    He emphasized that these individuals have not received full compensation from the government even after 10 months.

    Addressing Chiefs and Queen mothers of Tongu in Juapong, Mr. Ablakwa underscored the importance of upholding the fundamental human rights of the affected individuals. He noted that many residents are still living in temporary shelters, while farmers whose crops were destroyed and residents whose homes were inundated await adequate compensation.

    Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that his office has obtained a letter from the Volta River Authority (VRA) indicating plans for a controlled spillage in the near future. He stressed the need for an emergency preparedness plan, alternative drainage solutions, and continued dialogue with local leaders and stakeholders to prevent a recurrence of last year’s devastating events.

    Moreover, the MP mentioned that his legal team is compiling detailed information and verifying property losses to pursue rightful compensation from the VRA.

    Additionally, he called on the government to prioritize the reconstruction of the Sayikope steel bridge, which collapsed on January 26, disrupting daily activities and endangering schoolchildren and pregnant women who rely on boats to cross to Adidome.

  • Akosombo dam spillage: Pavilions must be built for affected students – Minority to VRA

    Akosombo dam spillage: Pavilions must be built for affected students – Minority to VRA

    The Minority in Parliament has urged the Volta River Authority (VRA) to assume the responsibility of constructing temporary pavilions for students affected by the spillage of excess water from the Akosombo Dam.

    Data from the North Tongu Education Directorate indicates that over 14,000 students have experienced disruptions in their academic activities due to the situation, with various classrooms being utilized as shelters for affected residents.

    The Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, who spoke to the media, emphasized the need for the VRA to allocate funds to address the issue.

    “The classrooms have become safe havens for the victims, and they are occupying all the classrooms. Some of the classrooms are still under water, and so the VRA must commit some money to put up pavilions so that the schools can reopen for normal academic work to resume,” he stated.

    The Minority also supports the decision of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to impose administrative sanctions on school heads who allowed JHS one and two students to participate in the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

    “The policy is that you write your examination in JHS3, and that has been the policy. So any school authority that violates that policy opens himself or herself up to any punitive measures. The Minority will not be against the GES making this policy work; otherwise, students in other schools will be disadvantaged, and the system will not be in order,” Nortsu-Kotoe added.

  • Akosombo dam spillage: Cases of malaria, diarrhea, and bilharzia found among victims in shelters

    Akosombo dam spillage: Cases of malaria, diarrhea, and bilharzia found among victims in shelters

    The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has made a concerning revelation, identifying individuals displaying symptoms of diarrhea residing in the emergency shelters designated for those impacted by the overflow of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.

    The Acting General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Richard Selormey, disclosed this during an interview on Eyewitness News, which was broadcast on Citi FM.

    Dr. Selormey explained that the Association had deployed a team to assist in the rescue operations in the affected regions and encountered several individuals suffering from diarrhoea and bilharzia.

    “We mobilized a team of about twenty-two people, collaborating with the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association and a clinical psychologist who also volunteered from the 37 Military Hospital. They went on the ground on Tuesday and divided themselves into six different teams at the six different shelters. They are offering health education, screening, and treatment of the people,” said Dr. Selormey.

    “We have noted that the most common thing being found is people having malaria as well as skin diseases and respiratory conditions because most of the centres are holding a lot of people at a go and people are in close contact. We have also noticed that there are a few people beginning to show signs of diarrhea diseases and about two people are also showing signs of bilharzia,” he added.


    Dr. Selormey went on to issue a warning about the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases and urged the affected population to adhere to safety protocols while they await the arrival of relief supplies.

    “Our concern is the breakout of diarrheal diseases. That can be a big problem because it can quickly spread. And then also because of the crowding, respiratory tract infections. So key is the protocols we highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic which has to do with handwashing practices and advising the people not to touch things and making sure that there is good water available,” said Dr. Selormey.