Ablakwa announces GH¢100,000 emergency rent fund for dam spillage victims

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, has announced a GH¢100,000 emergency rent fund to support victims of the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.

That, he explained, would enable the victims to access accommodation as residents continued to grapple with the impact of the disaster occasioned in October 2023.

“…For my next term, my priority will be the total resettlement and total compensation of all victims of the VRA spillage from the Akosumbo and Kpong Dams. As we speak, 1,360 of our fellow constituents, my beloved constituents, remain in tents and that’s unacceptable. That is inhumane,” he said.

Mr. Ablakwa announced the proposed fund in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, after filing his in nomination at Electoral Commission’ Office at Battor, in the Volta Region, to contest the North Tongu parliamentary seat in the upcoming December elections.

The intervention, he noted, intended to ensure the full resettlement and compensation of all over 12,000 dam spill victims.

He said: “I am putting aside GH¢100,000 as emergency rent support for our brothers and sisters who are still in the tents. But we are prioritising the women, particularly nursing mothers.

“That cannot be allowed. And so, in my next term, I am going to dedicate all efforts towards the full and total comprehensive resettlement and compensation of all victims, the over 12,000 victims of the VRA spillage,” the North Tongu MP told the media.

On September 15, 2023, the Volta River Authority started a controlled spill from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.

This was due to the heavy rainfall in the Volta River catchment, resulting in a fast rise in the water level at Akosombo Dam.

The spill was, therefore, necessary to prevent the overtopping of the dam and to protect the dam’s integrity.

However, by the beginning of October, the water level was still rising rapidly, exceeding the maximum operating level of 276 feet. Following persistent rains and a continued rise in the water level, VRA allegedly increased the spill rate from October 9, 2023.

This resulted in increased flooding in several communities in the North, South and Central Tongu Districts, as well as Ada East District.