Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has offered his heartfelt condolences to victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage, which has uprooted many houses and livelihoods in the Volta Region and parts of the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions.
The spillage displaced numerous communities in roughly eight districts, and Bawumia visited some of the affected communities in the Volta Region on Wednesday (18 October), as well as some holding camps offering temporary housing for victims.
Bawumia could not hide his anguish when he addressed chiefs, community members, and some of those who had been evacuated.
“I see so much sadness and pain in the eyes of our mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers who are seated here.” “What has happened has turned their lives upside down,”
“These are people who were going about their normal duties everyday to take care of themselves, but now they have to really depend on others for livelihood and I am saddened by that, “Bawumia explained.
Despite the tragic circumstances, Bawumia advised the victims to seek solace in the Holy Book and to thank God for the gift of life.
“We are told in the good Book that in all things, we should give thanks to God. Why are we thanking God in this situation? Because He has saved the lives of all those here. So far, we have not heard of the loss of life and life is more important.”
“We give thanks to God for their lives. In many cases, such calamities result in the loss of life, and we thank God that everyone here is safe. We can restore what we have lost with life,” he added.
The National crisis Management Organisation (NADMO) and other government agencies have so far responded quickly to the crisis by transporting affected persons to roughly 20 holding facilities and providing emergency relief items through the Inter Ministerial Committee established by the government.
Bawumia assured that the government is not only committed to providing interim remedies, but also to provide relief to individuals impacted in order to recover their livelihoods.
Bawumia assured that the government is not only committed to providing interim remedies, but also to provide relief to individuals impacted in order to recover their livelihoods.
“I want to assure you that the government will do everything possible to assist the affected people in providing relief and restoring the livelihoods of those affected.”
“We are not only looking at temporary relief, we are also looking at a more sustained support through the Inter- Ministerial Committee, so that those affected can restore their livelihoods.”
Bawumia praised NADMO for their foresight, which he said contributed to averting a worse calamity.
“I’d want to thank NADMO for their proactive behaviour. We could have had a huge calamity on our hands if NADMO had not been proactive in conducting a simulation exercise last year, when they had no idea this would happen.
“I also want to thank the army, the navy, VRA and all stakeholders for their collective efforts so far,” he stated.
Bawumia and his delegation visited New Bakpa in Central Tongu District, as well as Sogakope and Sokpoe in South Tongu District. Interior Minister Ambrose Dery, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Volta Regional Minister Archibald Letsa, and NADMO and VRA officials accompanied him.
