Residents of Mepe in the North Tongu District of Ghana’s Volta Region, impacted by the recent Akosombo Dam spillage, have voiced strong dissatisfaction with the government’s sluggish response to their needs.
The affected individuals are urging the government to accelerate the completion of 20 unfinished housing units promised to them and to provide proper compensation for the damages incurred.
The spillage has drastically disrupted their lives, and the community feels that the government’s actions have been far from satisfactory.
During a press conference on August 10, 2024, spokesperson Godwin Kwabla Avadetsi criticized the government for its delayed response, nearly ten months after the incident.
Avadetsi emphasized the need for prompt action on the 20-unit housing project, which remains incomplete. He also highlighted the extensive damage caused by the spillage, including the destruction of thousands of homes, crops, and livestock, severely impacting their livelihoods.
“The flood victims have yet to receive compensation for their losses, and the government’s response has been inadequate,” Avadetsi stated. He pointed out that while the Ministry of Housing had pledged to build 100 housing units, only 20 units have been started, with reports suggesting that the contractor has abandoned the project due to difficulties.
Additionally, he criticized the quality of the housing plan and the lack of compensation for property damage.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) initiated the controlled spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams on September 15, 2023, due to high water levels from heavy rainfall.
The action was intended to prevent overflow and safeguard the dam’s integrity.
The spillage has had far-reaching effects on communities along the lower Volta Basin, including widespread power outages.
