Aftermath Of Akosombo Dam Spillage Disaster: Declare Mepe A Disaster Zone—Residents Appeal To Nana Akufo-Addo's Gov't.

Following this development, the residents are calling for urgent government intervention as the living conditions of these affected victims continue to deteriorate.

Aug 9, 2024 - 13:26

Aftermath Of Akosombo Dam Spillage Disaster: Declare Mepe A Disaster Zone—Residents Appeal To Nana Akufo-Addo's Gov't.

Concerned citizens of the Mepe Traditional Area in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region have mounted pressure on the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Alufo-Addo to declare the area a disaster zone, following the devastating spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam reservoir by the Volta River Authority (VRA).

"Nevertheless, all said and done, don’t you think it is time we put an end to this knee jerk reaction? We expect government to declare the area a disaster zone and take more serious measures and approach to alleviate the sufferings and economic hardship staring in the face of the people along the Lower Volta Basin," the residents demanded.

At a crowded press conference held on Thursday August 8, 2024 at Mepe, the spokesperson for Concerned citizens of the Mepe, Mr Godwin Avadetsi on behalf of the affected residents lamented that 12 months after the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) water spillage from the Akosombo Dam, the humanitarian crisis in Degorme, Mepe, is escalating, with over 500 flood victims still languishing in makeshift tents.

Following this development, the residents
are calling for urgent government intervention as the living conditions of these affected victims continue to deteriorate.

At a crowded press conference held on Thursday August 8, 2024 at Mepe, the residents, recalled that on October 2, 2023, the VRA commenced the spillage, affecting numerous communities downstream, including Torgome, Fodzoku, Dorfor, Volo, Battor, Mepe, Mafi Adidome, and various others along the Volta River.

"In situations like this, we have direct victims and indirect victims. It is time we deal with concrete data to actually cater for those who have actually been affected by the flood. Indeed, we have observed with impunity government’s insensibility to the affected areas such as deplorable nature of our access roads and its accompanying poor drainage, the health challenges eg, the polluted stagnant water bodies leading to mosquito and other insect infestation, the accommodation problems as a result of collapse of buildings, compelling people to be housed in tents in camps against their personal comfort,, the destruction of farms, animals and fish ponds leading to intense food shortage and heightened poverty level of inhabitants who largely depend on peasant farming as the source of their livelihood," the residents noted.

Below in the press statement

PRESS CONFERENCE BY CONCERNED CITIZENS OF MEPE DATED AUGUST 8TH 2024 ON THE AFTERMATH OF SPILLAGE OF THE AKOSOMBO DAM AND COMMUNITY PRESSING CONCERNS.

Good morning and welcome to this landmark press conference in the history of Mepe traditional Area. Let me first thank you for taking time off your busy schedules to grace the occasion with your presence.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, chiefs, queen-mothers, traditional shrine leaders and religious leaders, we the Concerned Citizens of Mepe Traditional Area have invited you here today to share with you the disaster, the pain and complaints after the spilling of water from the reservoir of the Volta Dam at Akosombo by the Volta River Authority (VRA).

On the 2nd of October, 2023, the Volta River Authority started spilling water from the reservoir of the Volta Dam at Akosombo. All the communities downstream comprising Torgome, Fodzoku, Dorfor, Volo, Battor, Mepe, Mafi Adidome and its villages, Bakpa, Vume, Tefle, Fievie, Sokpoe, Sogakope, some of the Agave towns along the Volta River, Ada, Anyanui, as well as Anloga and Keta were at the mercy of this exercise.

The three (3) Tongu Districts, namely North Tongu, Central Tongu and South Tongu, were the hardest hit; with the epicentre being Mepe. For the first two days, the people took it to be the normal spillage by the Volta River Authority (VRA), which never disturbs more than One Hundred (100) individuals; at least, that was the impression created by the VRA in their announcement.

However, things turn out to be different. Within the next 24Hrs. the people of Mepe found themselves at the wrong side of the ‘dancing floor.’

Pockets of evidence show about 60% of houses in the Mepe Township were flooded within 4hrs. People came from their farms and were not able to enter their houses.

Even those around were not able to salvage most of their properties due to the speed of the gushing flood waters.

It is on record that a vast majority of buildings in the Mepe Township were either fully flooded or totally submerged. And so were farm products and animals which were carried away by the flood waters.

The havoc ricked on the people by this negligence from VRA and those in authority can never be understood by any ordinary man. The devastation left behind cannot be described in any ordinary terms.

The situation itself was not as painful as the seemingly indifference displayed by those in authority.

First is the top officials of the Volta River Authority who claimed they came round for simulation exercises in the communities. What was the target for the simulation and what data have they taken to indicate the households that will be affected?

What plans have they put in place for the identified households after their simulation exercise?

It is shameful and disgusting that top officials of the Ministry for Sanitation and Water Resources who also claimed they have asked the people of Mepe in particular to move away but they have refused, never visited the thousands of flood victims Eleven (11) months after the disaster whilst their living conditions continue to deteriorate.
.....

Our people are still reeling under the impact of the Akosombo Dam flood disaster. We are saying that Thousands of houses and crops, including livestock, had been destroyed in Mepe as a result of the surge water from the spillage, but they have still not compensated the flood victims who are still in pains for the destruction of their livelihoods and valuable properties.

The whole thing looks as if the spillage was deliberately calculated, planned and executed to perfection.

At least there should have been some contingency plans and measures ahead in preparation for the spillage so that immediately the spillage started materials should have been moved to the proposed places before the people are displaced.

Following this development, we, the Concerned Citizens of Mepe, after a sober reflection based on the lackadaisical response of government to taking comprehensive measures to surmount the challenges that have since been imposed on our people and other communities near and far, being the hard-hit area, wish to make known our reservation and anger.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, chiefs, queen-mothers, traditional shrine leaders and religious leaders, and the youth, for the records, our forefathers have lived here in Mepe for over Two Hundred (200) years.

They would have moved away if they were to be facing this level of destruction and inconvenience.

They have lived here all these years in harmony with the River Volta and its tributaries.

The annual flooding of the Volta replenishes the soil to regain its fertility, hence increased yield.

Our women folks also engaged in oyster picking which is a prerogative for the females whilst their male counterparts also indulged in fishing and hunting.

It was not until a test run of the Volta Dam at Akosombo, after its completion that we first experienced this type of flooding; and that was over Sixty (60) years ago. Since then we never had anything of this nature.

All our sources of livelihood have been curtailed and out-migration became the order of the day.

Until now, we have never been compensated for our lost opportunities, let alone to talk about the health challenges that we are constantly confronted with.

Supply of Relief Items: We expect VRA and the Government which claimed they have prepared a place for us in view of the devastation to lead us to the so called ‘Canaan.’ Unfortunately, they have found themselves wanting.

Nothing has happened so far, beyond the knee-jerk reaction of the supply of a few items.

The rest remained lip service.

In all these, our major source of comfort, hope and encouragement was the Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who single-handedly rallied round the people and with effective networking and communication was able to mobilize resources through friends, political party leadership, civil societies, corporate bodies, NGOs and other benevolent organizations to come to the aid of the victims.

Honourable, may the Almighty continue to give you guidance and shower His blessings onto you! We wish to express our appreciation to all people who offered various services and prayers as well as words of encouragement during our moment of grief.

It is true that we have all been caught wrong-footed by this unexpected havoc on our citizenry.

Nevertheless, all said and done, don’t you think it is time we put an end to this knee jerk reaction? We expect government to declare the area a disaster zone and take more serious measures and approach to alleviate the sufferings and economic hardship staring in the face of the people along the Lower Volta Basin.

In situations like this, we have direct victims and indirect victims. It is time we deal with concrete data to actually cater for those who have actually been affected by the flood. Indeed, we have observed with impunity government’s insensibility to the affected areas such as:

The deplorable nature of our access roads
and its accompanying poor drainage.
The health challenges eg, the polluted stagnant water bodies leading to mosquito and other insect infestation.

Accommodation problems as a result of collapse of buildings, compelling people to be housed in tents in camps against their personal comfort.

The destruction of farms, animals and fish ponds leading to intense food shortage and heightened poverty level of inhabitants who largely depend on peasant farming as the source of their livelihood.

Collapse of culvert and bridges, notably between Aklakpanu and Sayikope.

This is the only lifeline linking North and Central Tongu Districts.

For about Eight (8) months now the steel bridge across River Aklakpa, linking Adidome to Juapong through Mepe-Sayikope has not been attended to. For now all motorists have been directed to detour through Dadome to Adidome, and vis versa to Juapong.

The Aklakpa Bridge is very crucial for the communities because human activities, especially businesses have come to a standstill since the collapse of the bridge.

The lives of people including over three Hundred (300) school children from surrounding communities risk their lives daily by crossing the River Aklakpa to access education in Sayikope, Mepe Township and Dadome due to the collapsed bridge.

There is growing dissatisfaction among the actual victims. We can work with concrete data which can be desegregated into:
i. Those whose houses have been destroyed/collapsed and suffered damages (lost properties).

ii. Those whose houses have been flooded and they lost their properties/ suffered damages.
iii. Those who served as hosts to others who became ‘refugees.’

iv. Those whose farms and animals were destroyed by the flood.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, the situation at hand since the flood is that some of those who actually suffered from the devastation of the flood but have gone to seek refuge with friends and other family members have not been catered for.

These affected victims are not considered in any way at all as “Flood Victims.” But let us, look at it this way and put ourselves in their shoes. Assuming you are an aged person (pensioner), do you foresee yourself running to the so called safe havens and be struggling with your grandchildren for a micro/nano bag of rice or student mattress?

We are doing our best but things have to be streamlined; and now is the time for us to do that, else our good work and intentions will be tainted.

There are people whose houses are dry, water has receded from their houses for some time now but are still in the camps.

Such people need counseling and assurances to enable them have confidence in themselves and move back to their dwelling places.
Apart from the psychological trauma that people are going through as a result of losing their lifelong properties and savings, there lies the health hazard.

The Volta River Authority (VRA) has hinted that they are going to spill excess water in the next few weeks.

They claim the spillage this time will be gradual.

But we hope they are fully much aware that the soil is still soaked with water and will not be able to absorb much quantity again.

We are therefore pleading with them to be circumspect in whatever actions they take.

In the wake of the flood, the following pronouncements in the form of promises were made by government and its functionaries:
Government, through the Minister for Works and Housing has promised putting up One Hundred (100) housing units to accommodate the displaced at Mepe but so far only Twenty (20) units have been started. And even that we are reliably informed that the contractor has checked out of the place due to some challenges. We are also not happy about the plan for the building.

Government has also promised to come to the aid of Farmers whose farms/animals were destroyed but so far, only fertilizer, seed maize and selective herbicides were given.

Even that, the distribution was ill-timed since the seed maize was given out in the middle of the major rainy season hence a looming crop failure. Farmers were also not given anything for field preparation and labour.

As a matter of urgency, we are requesting government to do the honourable thing by:
Shaping and resurfacing all access routes in the town and those leading to surrounding villages

Providing proper drainage facilities
Providing canals for excess spilled water to be harvested and channeled for agricultural purposes.

The Three Tongu Districts have abundant land for agricultural activities especially over bank. We can harness the spilled water through canals for productive use.

Resurfacing and construction of proper bridges along the following routes:
Juapong to Adidome.

Mepe-Titikope through Dadome to join
the Adidome Podoe road at Atitetey
Adidome to PodoeMepe to Dove Junction
Mepe through Aveyime to Asutsuare
Battor to Mepe through BASEC.
Battor to Mafi-Aklamador

Adequate compensation to farmers, livestock owners and fish farmers to enable them sustain themselves while working on the new fields.

Proper compensation of all those who lost their properties.

Impress upon VRA and ECG to waive electricity bills for the period from October 2023 to March 2024. In fact, during this period almost the whole community was taken off the grid.

Adequate compensation for those whose Building plots were affected as a result of creation of alternative route from Battor to Holy Christ Preparatory School by VRA.
Speedy construction of proper housing units promised by the government.

We are also stressing the urgent need for government and the VRA to provide safety canoes to be used by school children from surrounding communities to cross the river to access education in order to safeguard the heart threatening situation in the area.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, we thank you for your presence and audience.
Long Live Mepe, Long Live Tongu and Long Live Ghana!
Cc:

THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT
REPUBLIC OF GHANA
PARLIAMENT HOUSE
ACCRA.

THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT,
NORTH TONGU CONSTITUENCY
BATTOR

THE DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE
NORTH TONGU DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
BATTOR.

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
VRA, ACCRA.

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
ECG, ACCRA.

Mepe Citizens Demand
Action After Devastating
Akosombo Dam Spillage
Story: Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu

Concerned citizens of the Mepe Traditional Area in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region have broke silence by voicing their frustration and demands following the devastating spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam reservoir by the Volta River Authority (VRA).

At a crowded press conference held on Thursday August 8, 2024 at Mepe, the residents, clad in red attire residents
recalled that on October 2, 2023, the VRA commenced the spillage, affecting numerous communities downstream, including Torgome, Fodzoku, Dorfor, Volo, Battor, Mepe, Mafi Adidome, and various others along the Volta River.

They lamented that the three Tongu Districts—North Tongu, Central Tongu, and South Tongu—were particularly hard hit, with Mepe being the epicenter of the disaster.

According to them, the initial announcements from the VRA downplayed the impact, suggesting that the spillage would affect no more than a hundred individuals.

However, they pointed out that within 24 hours, about 60% of houses in Mepe were flooded.

They further lamented that many residents returned from their farms only to find their homes inaccessible and valuable properties, including livestock, unsalvageable due to the rapid flooding.

They detailed that the disaster left most of Mepe submerged, destroying buildings, farms, and animals.

The citizens accused the VRA and government authorities of negligence and indifference.

Despite claims of conducting simulation exercises, the residents complained the VRA's top officials have not provided adequate support or plans for the affected households.

Moreover, they pointed out that the Ministry for Sanitation and Water Resources, which advised relocation, has not visited the flood victims even eleven months after the incident.

They asserted that the residents continue to suffer from the aftermath, with thousands of houses, crops, and livestock destroyed.

They indicated that the government has yet to compensate the flood victims, many of whom are now homeless and living under makeshift canopies.

The citizens alleged that the spillage seemed deliberately calculated and executed without sufficient contingency plans.

They noted that for over 200 years, the people of Mepe lived in harmony with the River Volta.

The annual flooding replenished soil fertility, contributing to agricultural yields, while the community engaged in oyster picking, fishing, and hunting.

However, since the test run of the Volta Dam, such catastrophic flooding had not been experienced until now.

The community's sources of livelihood have been severely impacted, leading to out-migration and ongoing health challenges.

Relief items promised by the VRA and central government have not materialized beyond an initial, inadequate supply.

The citizens praised the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for his efforts in mobilizing resources and support for the victims.

In light of the circumstances, the concerned citizens are calling for the government to declare the area a disaster zone and implement serious measures to alleviate the suffering.

Their demands include: immediate action to fix the Aklakpa River bridge.provision of safety canoes for school children, improvement of access roads and drainage systems, addressing health challenges caused by polluted water bodies, adequate compensation for lost properties, farms, and livestock, speedy construction of promised housing units, Waiver of electricity bills for affected households from October 2023 to March 2024.

On the issue of broke steel bridge at Mepe-Sayikope-Aklakpanu, the residents complained bitterly that this is the only lifeline linking North and Central Tongu Districts.

They indicated that it was eight months now the steel bridge across River Aklakpa at Mepe-Sayikope, connecting Juapong to Adidome Tagazi collapsed under the weight of a heavy-duty truck.

For now, they complained that all motorists had been directed to detour through Dadome, to Adidome in the Central Tongu District, and then to Juapong.

"We are saying the Aklakpa Bridge is crucial for their community, because human activities, especially business, has come to a standstill since it collapsed.

"The lives of people including over 300 school children from surrounding communities risk their lives daily by crossing the River Aklakpa to access education in Sayikope, Mepe township and Dadome due to the collapse of the bridge.

"Following this situation, we the concerned citizens of Mepe are calling on government to take immediate action to fix the Aklakpa River bridge.

"We are also stressing the urgent need for the central government and VRA to provide safety canoes to be used by school children from surrounding communities to cross the river to to access education in order to safeguard the heart threatening situation in the area," they explained.

The citizens stressed the need for concrete data to ensure proper support for those directly and indirectly affected by the flood.

They also urged the government and VRA to honor their promises and take swift action to prevent future disasters.

The press conference concluded with a plea for immediate and effective intervention to restore the community and safeguard their future.

Another For Adomonline and graphic

Mepe Citizens Call For
Urgent Drainage, Canals,
Bridges And Compensation

The Concerned Citizens of Mepe in the Volta Region are urgently appealing to government of Ghana to shape and resurface all access routes in Mepe town and those leading to surrounding villages.

They are also requesting the provision of proper drainage facilities and canals to harvest and channel excess spilled water
for agricultural purposes.

Furthermore, the citizens are calling for the resurfacing and construction of proper bridges along the routes from Mepe to Titikope through Dadome to Atitetei, Adidome to Podoe, Mepe to Dove Junction, Mepe through Aveyime to Asutsuare, and Battor to Mepe through BASEC and Battor to Mafi-Aklamador.

In addition, they demanded adequate compensation for farmers, livestock owners, and fish farmers to sustain themselves while working on new fields.

They also seek proper compensation for all those who lost their properties, as well as those whose building plots were affected by the creation of an alternative route from Battor to Holy Christ Preparatory School by the Volta River Authority (VRA).

The Concerned Citizens are urging the government to press upon VRA and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to waive electricity bills for the period from October 2023 to March 2024. They also emphasize the need for speedy construction of promised housing units.

This appeal was made at a press conference organized by the Concerned Citizens in response to the aftermath of the Akosombo Dam spillage.

The residents, clad in red attires recalled that on October 2, 2023, the VRA started spilling water from the reservoir of the Volta Dam at Akosombo.

According to them, the spilled water severely affected downstream communities, including Torgome, Fodzoku, Dorfor, Volo, Battor, Mepe, Mafi Adidome and its villages, Bakpa, Vume, Tefle, Fieve, Sokpoe, Sogakope, some of the Agave towns along the Volta River, Ada, Anyanui, as well as Anloga and Keta.

They pointed out that the three Tongu Districts—North Tongu, Central Tongu, and South Tongu—were the hardest hit, with the epicenter being Mepe. Thousands of houses, crops, and livestock were destroyed in Mepe following the dam spillage, yet the government has not compensated the flood victims who continue to suffer from the loss of their livelihoods and properties.

They lamented that many flood victims in Mepe remain homeless and have been sleeping under canopies since the disaster.

According to the citizens, the spillage appeared to be deliberately calculated, planned, and executed without adequate contingency plans and measures in place to mitigate the impact on affected communities.