In his contribution to the calls for a lasting solution to the floods stemming out of the spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has asked that leadership put the situation to reasoning to put an end to the recurring menace.
Speaking with TV3 at Mepe, one of the affected communities Thursday, October 19, 2023, Mr. Ablakwa said “we just need to put our thinking caps on and find a scientific solution to this.”
The MP applauded the youth in his constituency for the yeomen job done in helping rescue the victims to avoid casualties.
“…There was no NADMO, the VRA were no where to be found. Our youth were the ones who ensured no casualty was recorded. No external body was involved,” he said.
He thanked Ghanaians for the “show of solidarity” adding that people are still calling in from far and near, including Northern Ghana and abroad to donate to support the victims with relief items.
“Let me appeal to corporate Ghana, the clergy, the Muslim body, benevolent organisations and other philanthropists” to come with support while appreciating the fact that “even though help is coming, we still need more.”
He added that “unfortunately the VRA is still spilling” water from the dams, the reason the water levels have not receded days after the incident begun.
MP’s Relief Fund
Mr. Ablakwa has also launched the MP’s Relief Fund where people can make contributions to support the victims. He noted that persons who want to access the Fund can do so by applying through the office.
The legislator also indicated that over 12,000 persons have been displaced in his constituency alone.
Bawumia calls for long-lasting solutions
Meanwhile, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia added his voice to the calls for seeking long lasting solutions to the matter when he visited parts of the affected areas Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
Speaking to residents in the North, Central, and South Tongu districts Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the Vice President said the impact of the climate change is taking effect on the environment, making the Volta dam which fell short of water some years ago, now overflowing its maximum level.
According to him, Ghana, after dealing with the impact of the current spillage, will have to adopt engineering solutions for subsequent spillages to avert similar situations from recurring.
“But we need to look for long-term solutions to this flooding,” he said. “Because it will happen this year, we can deal with it now. But what of next year? Because climate change appears to be taking hold.
“A few years ago, we were all worried about the water levels of the Volta Dam because it was too low. Now, we are all worried that it is too high. We need to look for engineering solutions to the spillage of water out of the Volta dam,” he indicated.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) commenced the controlled water spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams on September 15, 2023, due to a consistent rise in the inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo reservoir.
The spillage of the water, including that of the Kpong dam, have submerged many homes and farmlands in the South Tongu, North Tongu, Central Tongu, Asuogyaman, and several other areas.
The Vice President assured the flood victims of the government’s readiness to continuosly provide them the needed relief and also help restore their livelihoods after the waters have receded.
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