The residents displaced by the Akosombo Dam spillage in Asuogyaman District in the Eastern region are calling on the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the government to help resettle them.
The spillage began on September 15, 2023, causing significant damage to several communities along the Volta river. Fish farming on the river which is source of livelihood for residents destroyed incurring huge investment losses.
Experts are warning that due to climate change, over 26,000 residents affected by the Spillage should avoid reoccupying these vulnerable areas.
However, the affected residents in Asuogyaman District are urging the VRA and the government to provide them with lands on higher ground for resettlement.
Torgbe Dusornu II, chief of Abume one of the affected communities told Starr News “those that have been affected should not stay there again so there are places near the town but only VRA can allow to build houses so if they can allow us, there are some places those the water have been affected can move if VRA can allow us to come nearer to the Akosombo township”.
Zikpoto Simon Hitorvi, traditional leader affected in Kokonte Kpedzi also shared similar sentiment “this disaster has never happened before so VRA or government should allow us relocate to high ground so that next time when the dam is spilled we are not affected .The lands around are for VRA so they can give us land to relocate to”.
Gladys Duro one of the victims stated that “We are appealing to government to build houses for us to relocate. Because our buildings have been collapsed as we speak one of my children who was injured during collapse of the building is still on admission so we beg government”
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has pledged to mobilize fellow Members of Parliament in the affected areas to support the call for the VRA and government to take action in resettling the victims.
“I will continue to remind them that when the water recedes they should not go back to build very close to the river again because today they have seen the extent to which the water can go if VRA decides to spill. So they should find spaces uphill to put up their buildings once they have access to their Canoes and get on the water for their normal businesses that should be enough .With regards to their inability to get land I think we can all facilitate that if they need alternative places we can talk to VRA and ensure that all the affected persons are given places to resettle which will be better than where they are currently”.
It’s worth noting that since the disaster, the victims in the Asuogyaman District have not received any relief support from the state whiles corporate organizations and individual philanthropists turn attention to Volta region specifically North Tongu.
However, there have been some generous contributions, including a donation from Former President Mahama and support from few private companies.
Asuogyaman Company Limited on Friday October 26,2023 donated truckload of food items worth Ghc10,000 to the victims while Vodafone Ghana Foundation also stepped in to provide essential relief items, including food, mattresses, sanitary pads, tents and more, to assist those affected by the dam spillage.
During this challenging time, the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman Thomas Ampem Nyarko emphasized the need for increased collaboration between the VRA and members of Parliament along the Volta River on decision that affected the people.
He bemoaned that VRA has for many years sidelined MPs in its catchment areas in their activities.
