Mepe Citizens Demand Akosombo Dam Spillage Disaster Report, Call For Compensation For The Victims
They lamented that nearly one year now, after the Volta River Authority (VRA) spilled excess water from the Akosombo Dam, over 200 flood victims in Degorme, Mepe are still living in tents.
Freeman Koryekpor A Thousands of residents and citizens of Mepe Traditional Area in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region have raised urgent concerns regarding the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams, which has displayed thousands of people and domestic animals in the area.
They lamented that nearly one year now, after the Volta River Authority (VRA) spilled excess water from the Akosombo Dam, over 200 flood victims in Degorme, Mepe are still living in tents.
According to them, these residents, who were severely affected by the spillage, report feeling abandoned and neglected, with no substantial government support to aid their recovery.
Tracts of land and communities downstream the Akosombo and Kpong dams have been flooded.
This follows the second-stage spillage of the two dams used to generate about a third of Ghana’s electricity supply.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) started what it described as the controlled spillage at the Akosombo and Kpong dams, both in the Eastern Region, from September 15, 2023 following excess water in both reservoirs due to appreciable levels of rainfall.
After this flood disaster, government of President Nana Addo Dankwa on October 13, 2032 has set up an inter-ministerial committee to help address havoc caused downstream by the Akosombo Dam spillage.
Aside this committee, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Honourable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has formed a seven-member committee to also investigate the recent spillage of the Akosombo Dam.
This comes after the North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Honourable Okudzeto Ablakwa, called on parliament to expedite its probe into the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
However, due to delays from the Majority leadership in submitting committee member names, the Speaker took the initiative to form the committee himself.
In September 2023, more than 30 constituencies were devastated and submerged after the flood gates of the Akosombo Dam were opened but no action were taken to compensate the flood disaster victims.
Since this heartbreaking incident, the international community and Ghanaians have pressed for justice, with both people from the international community and Ghana, particularly the people in the Volta Region voicing concerns over the lack of action.
During the interview with Soireenews.com, the concerned citizens of Mepe called for the Inter-Ministerial Committee and seven-member committee of Parliament to release their findings from an investigation launched into the matter.
The Mepe citizens' demand include immediate public access to the Inter-Ministerial Committee and seven-member committee of Parliament reports on Akosombo Dam Spillage Disaster, compensation of those were affected, prosecution of those indicted.
They urged the media to spotlight the case to ensure accountability for both the Inter-Ministerial Committee and seven-member committee of Parliament reports, emphasizing that justice is vital for restoring trust among government’s institutions and citizens.
"We are calling for immediate compensation and proper housing for affected flood victims, over year after the spillage of the Akosombo Dam," they further stressed.
The citizens said their livelihoods have been greatly affected negatively and the government seems reluctant on the issue.
They demanded compensation and urged the government to complete the 20-unit housing project it began in Mepe.
They also stressed the need for the VRA, to put in proper measures as it intends to spill more water this year.
The concerned citizens of Mepe noted “The VRA has hinted that they are going to spill excess water in the next few weeks.
"They claime the next spillage this time will be gradual but we hope that they are fully 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.”
“…As a matter of urgency, we are requesting the government to do the honourable thing, shaping and resurfacing all access routes in the town and those leading to surrounding villages, providing proper drainage facilities, providing canals for excess spilt water to be harvested and channeled for agricultural purposes," they reiterated.
