Dam spillage: Akufo-Addo assures of govt’s readiness to alleviate the plight of victims

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has visited areas in the Volta Region that have been adversely affected by the flood resulting from the Akosombo Dam spillage.

During his tour, the President assured the chiefs and residents of Mepe and other towns in the North, South, and Central Tongu areas that the government would do everything within its power to alleviate their plight.

Interacting with local leaders and residents, President Akufo-Addo emphasized his commitment to being a president for all Ghanaians, regardless of their political affiliations. He assured the affected people, even in opposition strongholds, that they would not be abandoned during this crisis.

“When I took the oath of office as president, I took the oath of office as president for every single individual in Ghana, of all the people in Ghana, all districts, whether they voted for me or not. Once I have taken the oath of office, I am the president of all the people,” he declared.

“I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and suffering, and it is my responsibility to try and help. If it is the question of counting who votes for me and who doesn’t vote for me, I shouldn’t be here because you don’t vote for me. But that is not my concern,” he added.

The President expressed his sympathies and commiserated with the people of the Mepe area, emphasizing that the government would do whatever was within its powers to alleviate the situation.

Emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the dam, Mr. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, CEO of the Volta River Authority (VRA), explained that they were experiencing inflows greater than expected, necessitating the ongoing spillage.

“The difference is that we are getting more than expected, and to safeguard this dam means that we have to spill water, which is standard operation for any hydro dam,” he stated.

“The inflows may continue, even though we are anticipating that the levels may drop down to phase 1. It is an emergency, and whether dredging or not, the volume of water coming into the lake, which we have to discharge, means we need to evacuate people to ensure their safety,” he added.

The VRA has been accused of neglecting its responsibilities in the Lower Volta Basin, leading to the significant impact of floods resulting from the spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams on local communities.