MDA Mounts Pressure On Sanitation Minister To Apologize To Chiefs And People Of Mepe Over Her 'They Refused To Leave’ Comment
"For the peace to prevail between the Sanitation Minister and people of Mepe, we MDA want to call on the minister to, unreservedly and immediately, apologise to the chiefs and people of Mepe Traditional Area for her misspoke and unfortunate comments," the Association said in the statement
Freeman Koryekpor 
MEPE DEVELOPMENT Association (MDA), the administrative organ of Mepe Traditional Area in charge of social and developmental issues has called on the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources,Madam Freda Akosua Oheneafrewo Prempeh to render apology to the chiefs and people of Mepe Traditional Area of the North Tongu District in the Volta Region.
According to the Association, the Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency in the Ahafo Region must apologise to the chiefs and people of Mepe over over her suggestion that victims of the flood caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams failed to listen to advice to leave.
"For the peace to prevail between the Sanitation Minister and people of Mepe, we MDA want to call on the minister to, unreservedly and immediately, apologise to the chiefs and people of Mepe Traditional Area for her misspoke and unfortunate comments," the Association said in the statement.
The MDA in statement a strong worded statement signed by it Chairman, Mr Kojo Mawulenu Fabian vehemently condemned the unguided comments made by Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, describing her as a liar for claiming that the flood victims refused to move.
The Association on behalf of the chiefs and people of Mepe registered its anger at Madam Prempeh, fuming that it couldn't fathom why the Minister would be blaming the indigenes of Mepe and other downstream communities along the Volta River for not heeding warnings to evacuate before the Akosombo Dam spillage.
For the record, the statement noted that the Mepe is the epicenter of the VRA-induced flood disaster where thousands of people are still reeling from the devastating losses and pain we have endured.
"We would like to ask the Minister to provide answers to following questions: Can the Minister tell the nation which part(s) of the Mepe traditional area the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) conducted the so-called simulation exercise before the spillage?
How many people from Mepe were included in the said simulation exercise, How many times was the simulation exercise conducted, and how extensive was the community engagement," the statement stressed
"We wish to make it clear that the Mepe Traditional Council, Mepe Development Association, opinion leaders, and all key stakeholders were not engaged in any simulation exercise or post-simulation exercise as claimed by the Minister.
"How such an important exercise could escape the eyes and ears of these key stakeholders in the community leaves one to wonder whether the monies expended on the simulation should not be refunded to the state coffers," the statement which copied to Soireenews.com noted.
The statement said the Minister also mentioned that the people of Mepe refused to evacuate before the spillage, asking the Minister where she thinks the people to.
"Evacuate to where? There were no official temporary shelter facilities provided by the state for the people in the event of an evacuation," the statement schooled the Minister.
The statement pointed out that it was the leadership of the MDA, in consultation with the Chiefs, that took the initiative to create seven makeshift safe havens for the affected flood victims in the following locations which are Mepe R.C. Primary, R.C JHS, Mepe Presby Primary, Presby JHS, D.A JHS, Holy Christ, and St. Kizito Secondary Technical School.
It noted that out of these seven safe havens, only St. Kizito, which currently houses 1,320 displaced persons, received six mobile toilets just this past Friday, provided by the Volta River Authority (VRA) after persistent appeals.
"Is the Minister aware that over 1,000 displaced Ghanaian citizens are now relying on just six mobile toilets at St. Kizito?, the MDA angrily asked the Sanitation Minister.
"Is she informed that the remaining six safe havens in Mepe do not have any mobile toilets? And does she know that the displaced victims, including children and women, are exposed to mosquitoes and other dangerous reptiles every night?
"We also question how many litter bins, mosquito nets, and access to clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has provided the people of Mepe since the man-made flood disaster.
The MDA in the statement called on the Minister to inform the nation about her ministry's response to the looming health crisis in the affected communities, the contamination of water sources, and the unsanitary conditions created by the flood.
It stressed that it is time for real action, Madam Minister. Show up.
"As a community, we have had enough of misinformation and disinformation from official sources since the flood disaster occurred. We are still grieving and emotionally distraught. All we request is respect for our sensitivity and dignity during these challenging times in our history.
The statement urged all state appointees and communicators to refrain from making ill-informed and uneducated comments that blame the flood victims for this state-created disaster. The state must acknowledge its role and take responsibility for the mess it has created, showing remorse and empathy toward the affected communities.
"Let us refrain from exacerbating the pain of our people, the poor and the vulnerable, Minister Freda Prempeh.
