By Kekeli K. Blamey
Adidome (V/R), April 28, GNA – Mr Guggisberg Fiagbenu, Assembly Member for the Adidome Central Electoral Area, and residents of the area have renewed calls on the Government to urgently expedite the resettlement and relief support for victims of the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillage.
The appeal was made in a formal communication through the Assembly Member to Mr Dodzi Addison Mornyuie, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Central Tongu District Assembly.
The flood victims expressed grave concern about their prolonged vulnerability in affected communities, including Siamekome, parts of Afetorgborkofe and Kpogede, more than two years after the disaster.
Mr Fiagbenu said the September 2023 dam spillage left a trail of destruction in the enclave, submerging more than 10 households and displacing over 50 residents in the Adidome Central area.
He noted that many affected persons continued to live under precarious conditions, with some taking refuge with relatives, while others remained in makeshift shelters as they awaited government support.
According to him, the situation has had severe socio-economic consequences for affected households, including the loss of food reserves, household items and sleeping materials.
He said livelihoods had also been significantly affected, with fisherfolk losing canoes and fishing nets, while farmers and fish farmers had farmlands and fish ponds destroyed.
Mr Fiagbenu cautioned that the continued exposure of displaced persons, particularly those still sleeping outdoors at Siamekome, posed serious public health risks, including increased vulnerability to mosquito-borne diseases and other environmental hazards.
He stressed that delays in full resettlement and comprehensive relief interventions had worsened conditions in the affected communities and called on the Government, through the District Assembly and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), to fast-track the implementation of the promised resettlement programme and provide additional relief support.
The affected residents, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), also appealed directly to the Government and the highest levels of leadership, including President John Dramani Mahama, to intervene urgently and bring lasting relief to their plight.
They lamented that years after the disaster, their living conditions remained dire, with many families still without permanent shelter and access to basic necessities.
The victims said they felt abandoned after their sudden losses and appealed for swift State intervention to restore dignity, security and livelihoods in the affected communities.
Mr Fiagbenu reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with NADMO, traditional authorities and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that humanitarian assistance was effectively coordinated and delivered promptly to the most vulnerable households.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah / Lydia Kukua Asamoah