Government has earmarked GH¢220 million to support the relief phase of the communities affected by the floods from the spillage of the Akosombo Dam, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has assured.
He says the amount covers areas affected along both the Upper and Lower Volta Basins.
During the presentation of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government in Parliament Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Mr. Ofori-Atta noted that government was planning to provide additional resources to restore livelihoods in the affected areas.
“Mr. Speaker, Government has budgeted an amount of GH¢220 million to support the relief phase for the communities affected by the Akosombo spillage as well as floods upstream in the Oti, Savannah, and Bono-East Regions.
“For the restoration phase, Government through the Ministry of Agriculture will allocate additional resources to support the restoration of livelihoods,” he indicated.
He also revealed that government has sought support from the World Bank to aid the resettlement of the flood victims in the next phase.
“In addition, the Ministry of Finance, after the visit was quickened to respond. We have requested funding from the World Bank under the IDA Crisis Response Window (CRW) to support the resettlement of the victims, restoration of livelihoods, compensation and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected communities,” he added.
He also indicated that the government recognises “the place of climate policy and financing to help address the long-term effects of climate change on victims of drought, flooding, and other adverse weather events. Accordingly, the Ministry has applied to the Global Shield Against Climate Risk Fund, an initiative launched by President Nana Akufo-Addo and Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the COP 27 in Sham ElSheikh, to access some financial resources to support communities upstream and downstream of the Akosombo Dam.”
The Finance Minister further expressed gratitude to the government and citizens who have supported the victims since the disaster struck.
A spillage of the Akosombo Dam on September 15 displaced many citizens after the water from the reservoir submerged their homes and farmlands.
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