The Dufia of Bakpa Awadiwoekome, Togbe Komla Sakpiti V, has expressed deep frustration with the Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, over ongoing delays and unfulfilled promises regarding the reconstruction efforts for victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
During an interview on Channel One TV’s Sunday Breakfast on November 10, Togbe Sakpiti V shared the growing sense of disappointment felt by both himself and his community.
He emphasized that despite repeated assurances from government officials, particularly Oppong Nkrumah, no tangible progress has been made.
The Chief disclosed that consultants had visited the affected sites the previous week and reiterated their commitment to immediately begin reconstruction.
However, despite these reassurances, the lack of visible action has left the community feeling neglected and disheartened.
“One year on, we are just listening to people saying on their lips they are coming to do this, they are doing this and all that all over the media most especially the Minister of Works and Housing, my very good friend, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who I may say I am a bit disappointed in him.
“I can confidently tell you that last week, the consultants were at the site. They promised me that they would come to clear the site and all that. But still, nothing has been going on there and it is rather unfortunate.”
Togbe Sakpiti V highlighted that the ongoing delay and failure to take action are worsening the hardships faced by the people of Bakpa Awadiwoekome and other communities along the Lower Volta Basin.
The controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam, which began on September 15, 2023, led to widespread flooding, displacing families, destroying homes, and severely disrupting the lives of those in the Lower Volta Basin.
According to the chief, the persistent lack of progress in addressing the crisis is only intensifying the suffering caused by this environmental disaster.