Akosombo Dam Spillage Disaster: North Tonu DCE Gives Update On Government Measures To Ensure Lives Return To Normal In Mepe And Other Affected Communities
Urging continuous support from the public to assist in the resettlement of persons affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage, the hard- working DCE disclosed that the Minister for Works and Housing, Honourable Francis Asenso-Boakye has sent a team of building experts to visit Mepe to engage the traditional authorities on how to push for the building of the housing project in Mepe for the victims.
Freeman Koryekpor 
DISTRICT CHIEF Executive (DCE) of the North Tongu District in the Volta Region, Mr Divine Osbon Fenu, has given vivid update on continuous efforts being made by the government of Ghana through the Assembly to ensure that 12,000 displaced victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage in the communities along the Volta River basin are living much healthier conditions.
Urging continuous support from the public to assist in the resettlement of persons affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage, the hard- working DCE disclosed that the Minister for Works and Housing, Honourable Francis Asenso-Boakye has sent a team of building experts to visit Mepe to engage the traditional authorities on how to push for the building of the housing project in Mepe for the victims.
The DCE indicated that local and traditional authorities of Mepe have made land available already, saying that very soon there would be a sod cutting for construction to begin on a housing project to relocate a good number of the 12,000 North Tongu constituents affected by the flood.
Speaking in an interview with Soireenews.
com via telephone call on Wednesday December 27, 2023, Mr Fenu noted that displaced victims who were previously housed at their safe havens at Mepe St Kizito Senior High Technical School have found solace in a resettlement initiative at Mepe-Degorme, a newly constructed temporary residence provided by the government of Ghana through the North Tongu District Assembly.
The DCE assured that the victims ate living safely in their new residence, adding that the government through Assembly is working together with the Mepe Development Association (MDA) and Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) to get potable drinking water connected directly to their new residence.
The North Tongu DCE narrated that government continues to provide support, especially through state agencies, adding that the support received include poly-tanks, mobile toilets, fumigation and provision of medication.
Currently, the DCE stated that they have been supplying potable drinking water to the flood victims at Mepe Degorme area, adding that they had taken some polytanks to their new residence, saying they have also supplied the victims with additional mobile toilet facilities.
"We have also sent 10 additional tents to the new location, making 34 tents in total
provided so far," he disclosed, stressing that we have connected electricity power in the inside the rooms of the temporary structure which served as houses for the victims at Mepe Degorme area."
The North Tongu DCE clarified that government continues to provide support, especially through state agencies, reiterating that the support received include poly-tanks, mobile toilets, fumigation and provision of medication.
He further assured that plans were underway for the authorities to connect the whole area with the electricity power to held safeguard the lives of the victims in the area.
He revealed that some victims who have not been re-evacuated to Mepe Degorme new resettlement place or resettlement initiative at Aveyime-Battor, a newly constructed residence provided by First Sky Group Ghana have now gone home.
The MCE was quick to state that he cannot gave vivid accounts about the safety living conditions of victims of Akosombo Dam spillage who were found new settlement in Aveyime-Battor on Monday, December 11, 2023.
He described the development as very problematic, arguing that the contractor of the First Sky Group Ghana has not fully completed the project before the Member of Parliament (MP) for the North Tongu Constituency, Mr Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa had hurriedly recocated from their safe havens to occupy the housing project at Aveyime-Battor.
He stressed that the government through the Assembly was still proving foods and safety drinking water to the victims, adding that the relocated victims were living in much healthier conditions than even when they were living in their safe havens in the various school buildings at Mepe.
"The flood victims are living more comfortable than when they living in their safe havens in the Mepe Kizito," the DCE stressed, saying that the government through the Assembly is doing everything possible to make sure that the more new resettlement residences are built to permanently to house the victims.
While acknowledging that flood-water has receded, the DCE emphasised the importance of sustained assistance to facilitate recovery and relocation for those affected.
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.
In addition to the provision of land for the project, the people of North Tongu have expressed readiness to provide communal labour support.
The Dam is a critical hydroelectric facility which in recent times, experienced unprecedented spillage, leading to widespread flooding and displacement of residents in surrounding areas leaving many families grappling with the loss of homes, livelihoods, and a sense of stability.
In light of this crisis, the resettlement project at Aveyime-Battor and Mepe Degorme represents a beacon of hope and solidarity.
The affected individuals, now residing in Aveyime-Battor permanent and Mepe Degorme temporary are being offered not only shelter but also essential amenities like clean water, healthcare, and educational facilities to help rebuild their lives.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) started the water spillage on September 15, due to a consistent rise in the inflow pattern and water level of the dams’ reservoirs.
