Manklalo of Mepe Traditional Area, Torgbe Korsi Nego VI, has bemoaned the neglect of the victims of the flood caused by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam by the Volta River Authority (VRA).
He says almost a year after the infamous spillage that destroyed the livelihoods on many of its residents, some of the victims have had to survive on the benevolence of Ghanaians and some philanthropists.
The Manklalo says government has not been forthcoming with its support leaving many of the victims at the mercy of some individuals and their own struggle.
Speaking on behalf of the Mepe Traditional Council at the 68th Mepe Afenorto Festival Durbar Saturday, August 10, 2024, Torgbe Nego highlighted the living conditions of the people and how the government has reneged on its responsibility of taking care of the people.
“It is trite knowledge that in September and October 2023, the Volta River Authority (VRA) spilled water from the Akosombo Dam and this spillage caused heavy flooding downstream the Lower Volta.
“Mepe became the epicenter of the disaster, with over 10,000 people displaced, yet has received very little support from the state. This is telling because the flood has worsened the socio-economic conditions of our people, pushing several thousands of Mepe citizens down the poverty ladder,” he stated.
His account corroborated that of what was shared by Sophia Abbah, the caretaker of one of the camps where people are still struggling to make ends meet.
According to Abbah, the Ghana Water Company Limited had to disconnect their water at a point when they were not able to pay for their bills, a situation that made the North Tongu District Engineer told them to move to their family homes since he is not responsible for their misfortune, when they solicited for support from the assembly.
“Mr. Chairman, even as we celebrate this year’s Afenorto Festival, most of our people are sharing congested rooms while others are homeless and jobless because their homes and sources of livelihood were washed away by the Floods. In fact, many citizens of Mepe are still sleeping under tents in mosquito and reptile-infested areas.
“We celebrate this year’s Afenorto Festival with mixed feelings – even as we make merry, we are constantly reminded of the existing devastating effects of the flood disaster and the continuous neglect of the victims.
“Mr. Chairman; Torgbewo; Mamawo; Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen; the avoidable spillage significantly affected our socio-economic wellbeing as our farmlands, homes, businesses, places of worship, places of convenience and burial grounds were washed away even as our main source of drinking water, the Volta River, became contaminated at a point,” lamented the Manklalo.
