North Tongu DCE wants more humanitarian aid to care for flood victims

• as BOST donates relief items

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of North Tongu district in the Volta Region, Divine Osbon Fenu, has urged continuous support from the public to assist in the resettlement of persons affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage.

While acknowledging that flood-water has receded, the DCE emphasised the importance of sustained assistance to facilitate recovery and relocation for those affected.

Public support, in all forms – especially donations of essential supplies, camping resources and volunteer efforts – to complement government efforts, he said, are crucial for effective and sustainable rehabilitation of affected communities.

Speaking in an interview with journalists on the back of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited’s (BOST) donation of some relief items in support of the flood victims, he said some makeshift structures are required to house flood victims since they can no longer occupy schools after their reopening.

“Currently, government is working on alternative accommodation – with some individuals also coming in to support,” he said.

He added that a lot more of these structures will need to be put in place to enable the schools to have their classrooms back for studies.

He noted that many people have completely lost their sources of livelihood, mostly farms. Given this, he said, the Assembly continues to provide relief items to the people, and hopes they will be resettled and enabled to resume their normal lives.

The North Tongu DCE clarified that government continues to provide support, especially through state agencies. The support received include poly-tanks, mobile toilets, fumigation and provision of medication.

He said efforts continue to gather data on all those who lost their farms, and used the opportunity to express appreciation for BOST’s support to the affected people.

Also, the queen mother of Mepe Traditional Area, Mamaga Adzo Sreku IV – who witnessed the delivery of relief items to the Assembly, said the situation on the ground is quite distressing – and added that every help counts.

She particularly expressed concern about resettling the people. “People need to get their lives back, and support is needed to do this,” she said.

Mamaga Adzo Sreku IV therefore thanked BOST for the gesture.

Items donated to mitigate the affected persons’ plight were valued at GH?100,000 and comprised 170 bags of 25kilogramme rice (5×1), 70 cartons of oil (12 x 1) and 2,000 bags of sachet water.

General Manager-Corporate Affairs and External Communications, BOST, Marlick Adjei, presenting the items to the Assembly noted: “What’s happening is not normal, and our brothers and sisters who are in this trouble require the attention, support and help of everyone”.

He expressed BOST’s solidarity with all affected persons and communities, and was hopeful they will emerge from the challenge stronger.

Speaking to journalists after the donation, he said the items were carefully selected – mindful of the fact that floods affected homes, farms and businesses of the people. “About 90 percent of their drinking water is polluted, and we cannot leave them because the real disaster is yet to begin.”

He also said it is hoped the food items will help the people cope, particularly as the festive season approaches.

Mr. Adjei appealed for Ghanaians to come and support affected persons and communities, while calling on the Town and Country Planning Department to prioritise the planning for the country. This, he noted,  is because some of the structures appear to have been wrongfully-sited – leading to the impact they suffered with the dam’s over-spill.

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