Day: October 17, 2023

lectric dams spilled excess water to safeguard their operations.

More than 26,000 people have been displaced in three Regions and President Akufo-Addo, addressing the people of Mepe near Battor, said the Government would offer wholesome support.

The President, who was away on foreign travels when communities were taken, got his Chief of Staff to head an inter-ministerial committee, whose work he promised would deliver government’s support.

‘I had discussed with the Chief of Staff on what to be done and we agreed on the establishment of an inter ministerial committee to coordinate Government’s response.

‘The coordination is about the immediate tomorrow. Most important thing first of all is to ensure the lives of the people,’ he said, noting the establishment of safe havens on the various communities and the continuous relief support by the NADMO.

President Akufo-Addo, talking about interventions into the future, said the devastation to the agrarian economy of the affected communities was appreciated, and that ‘the Ministries will decide exactly the nature of support to be given when the water receded.

‘The government is going to do everything in its power to assist to make sure everything is solved.

The President made emphasis of the non-politicisation of the Government’s response to the devastation, and said the dam spillages should be given the needed support to help save the critical infrastructure.

Many including the affected question the rationale for such devastating water control schedule, but the President believed the Volta River Authority (VRA), operators of the water walls continued to serve the nation’s best interest.

‘We should be grateful for the work of the VRA,’ he said, adding that, ‘the preparedness they have been making over the years to deal with such a situation and we are grateful to God there has been no loss of life because of the good preparatory works done.

‘The dam is a great national asset that must be safeguarded, and the VRA needs commendation.’

The President promised victims repeated visits to ensure full restoration of the communities.

‘I give you my assurance that whatever is within the powers of the Government that can be done, I give you my word that it will be done.’

A briefing by heads of the NADMO said displaced individuals crossed 26,000 and listed affected districts to include the Tongu districts, Ada East, Anlo, Asuogyaman, and the Shai Osudoku districts.

The Tongu Districts are most hit with close to 20,000 victims, and has become the centre of rescue and recovery support activity greatly supported by the VRA.

Mr Seji Saji, Deputy Director General of NADMO said nine holding centres were being operated in Mepe, and that stakeholders were supporting the relocation of affected to friends and relatives in other communities.

He said through a comprehensive data system, victims were being tracked for various support with the North Tongu District Assembly as the emergency operations center.

He reported to the President how the NADMO had worked together with the VRA on the stimulation phases ahead of water shedding in all downstream districts, and which tested both voluntary and compulsory evacuation.

But it is clear stakeholders had underestimated the impact of the spilling which begun September 15, and in less than a month, thousands of homes had been totally submerged.

Mr. Edward Obeng Kenzo, the Deputy CEO of the VRA, said during a press briefing earlier in the day, that the spillage had become non-negotiable, but assured would be over soon.

‘The water is receding per our data collection. It is now at 277.29 meters and the maximum operating level is 277.5, so it needs to recede because it affects the integrity of the dam.

‘We don’t envisage to increase the spillage because increasing the spillage by a foot will end up wiping the communities away.’ he said, calling on lower Volta districts to support planned dredging of the river to prevent future floods.

The scenes in flooded communities are thrilling eas boats provided by the military manoeuvre sunken dark neighbourhoods.

The fear of contamination and sanitation disasters loom as the waters begin to take stench.

Several community toilets and other sanitation facilities had been submerged and the Ministry of health is racing around seeking to save them from a possible disease outbreaks.

A health centre has been set up at the St. Kizito Senior High School in Mepe where more than a 1,000 displaced were taking refuge, and Madam Tina Mensah, a Deputy Minister of Health told the GNA the Ghana Health Service operated such facilities in affected communities offering free services including anti-natal services.

President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by members of the inter-ministerial committee and also Ministers of the affected Regions, and made a first hand assessment of the flood situation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Residents in Adidome and its neighbouring communities, one of the hardest hit areas in the Akosombo Dam spillage, have called on the Government to urgently respond to their needs for relief items.

They say the situation kept worsening by the day and further delays could worsen their plight.

Mr Agorti James, the Assemblyman for Awakpedome Electoral Area, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), disclosed that the flood situation was getting intense and the need for government to map out measures to save the residents seem to be the last resort.

He said 26 households and three shops had already been submerged in the flood, leaving over 200 residents stranded.

Mr Agorti added that the Tsetsekpo D/A Basic School, which was the only educational facility in the enclave, submerged in the flood.

He appealed to the Government to quicken measures in bringing relief to the residents.

Mrs Irene Adamah from Apetorgborkope, a resident, said all the houses in her community were in water and her family had to find shelter from other relatives in Adidome.

Mr Christopher Kofi Seddoh, a victim from Sakome, lamented that his farm was affected, making him lose all his crops to the flood.

He also indicated that since the flood, he was left with only one shirt, which he had been wearing for the past two weeks.

‘The situation here is getting worse every day. The Government should come to our aid, we plead for support,’ Mr. Seddoh cried.

As the floods take over more houses and farms in Adidome, Old Bakpa, Mafi Adakpa, Wenu, Aziewa, Feli Logo, Awakpedome among other communities, the residents remain hopeful that the Government would provide them with enough support to see them through the challenging moments.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Barima Appiah Akromah Acheampong III, Chief of Akyem Abakoase in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region, has celebrated the one-year anniversary of his enstoolment with a science and technology fair.

The fair, on the theme: ‘Technology, a Must for the Rural Child: Traditional Leadership leads the Way,’ was organised with support from the N.A. Kyerema Foundation.

Students from basic schools in Abakoase gathered at the community centre for an exciting fair, showcasing aeroshutter, game development, robotics, 3D design, and printing.

Additionally, the Ghana National Fire Service conducted a firefighting simulation to educate community members and to emphasize the importance of every household securing fire extinguishers.

Barima Acheampong, who was installed in October 2022, expressed his gratitude to God for the protection and a peaceful reign.

He expressed gratitude to the N.A. Kyerema Foundation for organising the technology fair and donating 60 student desks to enhance education.

The desks would be distributed to the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA), Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian basic schools in Abakoase.

The chief encouraged the schoolchildren to take keen interests in the shows, with the hope that they would consider enrolling in STEM schools after completing junior high school.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education promotes critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the skill to create innovative solutions.

The Ministry of Education has successfully established and fully operationalised seven STEM schools in Ghana.

Madam Matilda Akosua Serwaa Acheampong Wilson, a Computer Scientist at the University of Ghana Computer Science Department, and the guest speaker, said: ‘It is not only academicians who make a country but the intervention of technologists and skill-oriented people.’

Nana Agyei Kyerema, the Chief Executive Officer of the N. A. Kyerema Foundation, emphasised the foundation’s commitment to empowering the youth through science, technology, and community initiatives.

The focus of science and technology was to narrow the growing divide between children in underprivileged communities and those in urban areas, he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency