1,600 Homes And 3,304 Farms Were Destroyed At Mepe Following Akosombo Dam Spillage Dam Spillage Flood Disaster 

Data released by the Mepe Development Association (MDA) indicates that a total of 1,600 homes and 3,304 farms, including fish farms were destroyed in Mepe enclave following the Akosombo Dam Spillage flood disaster which has occured on October 15, 2024.

The Mepe Traditional Area in the North Tongu Districtof the Volta Region, the epicenter of the flood, has struggled to recover, with damaged homes, destroyed farms, and over 200 people still living in tents.

To assess the disaster’s impact, the MDA revealed that it has conducted its own data collection. 

The association has pledged to share its findings with the government to facilitate appropriate compensation and relief measures.

According to the MDA, the Association has engaged the government on different levels for support but there has not been support for any of the victims.

The disaster, a result of spillage from the Akosombo Dam on October 15, 2023, submerged thousands of homes and displaced residents across North and Central Tongu districts. 

This was revealed by the Chairman of Mepe Development Association (MDA), Mr Fabian Mawulenu Kojo when he was speaking at a one year commemoration of the 2023 Akosombo Dam spillage flood disaster of chiefs and people of Mepe Traditional Area which has exposed numerous teething challenges currently facing thousands of people who were hard hit by the flood disaster at Mepe.

On Saturday November 9, 2024, the chiefs and residents of Mepe have marked the anniversary 
of the devastating Akosombo Dam flood disaster, calling out the government of Ghana over alleged neglect and misleading data collection on the affected flood victims. 

The event, which was organised by the Mepe Development Association on behalf of the Mepe Traditional Council and held at Mepe Degorme displaced camp,was under the theme; "Counting Our Loss; Does Government Care,?

The event became a rallying point for flood affected residents who feel forgotten by central government in the flood disaster's aftermath.

They lamented that nearly one year now, from October 15, 2023 that they have been displaced after the Volta River Authority (VRA) spilled excess water from the Akosombo Dam, many  flood victims in Mepe-Degorme are still living in tents and other makeshift shelters.

They pointed out that the central government has not also taken pragmatic and human centered measures to make compensation packages for the flood affected victims.

According to them, these residents, who were severely affected by the spillage, report feeling abandoned and neglected, with no substantial government support to aid their recovery.

Addressing the gathering at the event, Mr Fabian Mawulenu Kojo expressed the Mepe community's frustration over the central government's neglect of the victims of the flood caused by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam by the Volta River Authority.

"We have given timeline to government of Ghana and VRA to ensure that our people affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage flood disaster should not celebrate the upcoming Christmas under the tents. 

"We are not happy when the victims affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage flood disaster are living in tents and other makeshift shelters as their place of abode before we have celebrated our 68th Mepe Afenorto Festival in August 2024," the MDA Chairman lamented..

He indicated that almost a year after the infamous spillage that destroyed the livelihoods on many of its residents, some of the victims have had to survive on the benevolence of Ghanaians and some philanthropists.

He pointed out that the central government has not been forthcoming with its support leaving many of the victims at the mercy of some individuals and their own struggle.

He highlighted the living conditions of the people and how the government has reneged on its responsibility of taking care of the people.

Mincing no words, Mr Kojo called for the release of the findings fom both Inter-Ministerial Committee and seven-member committee of Parliament formed to launch investigation into the matter. 

The MDA Chairman's demand include immediate public access to the Inter-Ministerial Committee and seven-member committee of Parliament reports on Akosombo Dam Spillage Disaster, compensation of those were affected, prosecution of those indicted.

He stated that government has so far been silent on these reports, leaving residents feeling disregarded.

 “We deserve transparency and accountability from the institutions tasked with investigating this disaster,” Mr Kojo declared, reemphasising that the people of Mepe will reject any data collection or measures that do not align with the reality on the ground.

He urged the media to spotlight the case to ensure accountability for both the Inter-Ministerial Committee and seven-member committee of Parliament reports, emphasizing that justice is vital for restoring trust among government’s institutions and citizens.

"We are calling for immediate compensation and proper housing for affected flood victims, over  year after the spillage of the  Akosombo Dam," the MDA Chairman further stressed.

He complained that the citizens said their livelihoods have been greatly affected negatively and the government seems reluctant on the issue.

The MDA Chairman condemned the lack of government action to alleviate suffering and address the damage done to the local population, which reportedly affected over 18,000 people. 

“The Mepe-Degorme camp, where more than 90 households are still housed in makeshift shelters, was established solely by the  Mepe Development Association with no government support,” Mr Kojo said, emphasizing that it was the Mepe community’s own efforts, rather than state intervention, that provided some relief to flood victims.

The disaster, a result of spillage from the Akosombo Dam on October 15, 2023, submerged thousands of homes and displaced residents across North and Central Tongu districts. 

The Mepe TraditionalArea, the epicenter of the flood, has struggled to recover, with damaged homes, destroyed farms, and over 200 people still living in tents.

To assess the disaster’s impact, Mr Kojo revealed that the MDA conducted its own data collection. 

According to the report, more than 1,600 homes were submerged, and 3,304 farms, including fish farms, were destroyed. 

The association has pledged to share its findings with the government to facilitate appropriate compensation and relief measures.

Mr Kojo’s speech included a passionate appeal for urgent action to relocate and house displaced residents before the Christmas season, while demanding comprehensive support services, including psychological counseling for traumatized families. 

He also urged the government to complete the stalled Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) school project at Mepe-Dadome, which would provide much-needed vocational training for Mepe's youth, many of whom have been pushed deeper into poverty due to the flood's impact.

Traditional leaders echoed these sentiments. The. Manklalo of Mepe Traditional Area, Torgbe Korsi Nego VI, also lamented the government’s slow response and the lack of housing for flood victims.

The traditional ruler highlighted how some displaced families are still relying on community donations and urged authorities to fulfill their promises.

The flood disaster, which affected over 30 constituencies along the Volta River, has sparked a nationwide conversation on the management of dam reservoirs and disaster response.

Calls for justice and accountability have resonated across the country, and many are now looking to the government to act swiftly to restore faith and provide meaningful support to those affected.

The Mepe community continues to appeal to the government, underscoring that accountability and transparent action are critical in the wake of this man-made disaster.

For his part, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa expressed misgivings about the continuous delay by the government to compensate the flood disaster affectes victims
of Mepe including other communities along lower Volta basin.

The MP described the data gathered by MDA on the affected flood victims as very impressive, praising the Association for doing very important work in the wake of food disaster which have displayed residents of Mepe.

He said the residents affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage through him have planned to pursue a class action lawsuit against government and VRA over failed compensation.

"With our legal team ready to pursue the matter against the government over failed compensation packages to the affected flood disaster victims,
and that now that the members of MDA mobilized and presented a very comprehensive data will compile us to go to the court with this credible data.

"So l would like to congratulate the members of the MDA for spending three months to mobilize the data on the affected flood victims. Now the docket is ready for us to go court, Honourable Okudzeto Ablakwa told chiefs and people of Mepe.

Pix:Chairman of Mepe Development Association , Mr Fabian Mawulenu Kojo addressing the journalists