President Mahama Alert: Tongu Flood Victims Demand Transparent Compensation Process, Question Missing Of Relief Funds And Items

The Tongu Flood Victims Association (TFVA) has called on President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to ensure transparency and fairness in the disbursement of the recently announced compensation packages for victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage disaster.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, May 4, 2025, Chairman and Spokesperson of the Association, Mr Godson DeGaulle Hlordzi, on behalf of the Association accused some local personalities and state actors of alleged corruption and mismanagement in the distribution of previous relief items and fund donations. 

The conference, held in Mepe in the North Tongu District, gathered members of the media to draw national attention to long-standing concerns over how support for flood affected victims has been handled.

Mr. Hlordzi began by thanking President Mahama and the NDC government for allocating GH₵220 million to support flood-affected communities, noting that it was the first time a sitting government had shown such commitment to the people of Tongu, particularly those along the Lower Volta Basin.

However, he raised serious allegations regarding the management of past relief efforts, claiming that although over GH₵200 million and millions more in foreign aid were donated in 2023–2024, the real affected victims received little to no direct financial assistance. 

He said victims only received relief items in the first six months and sporadic cash donations—GH₵1,000 from the World Food Programme and GH₵1,200 from the Red Cross Society.

“Where is the money?” Mr. Hlordzi asked, demanding accountability from traditional authorities including former North Tongu District Chief Executive, Mr. Divine Osborn Kwadzo Fenu, and other local authorities. 

He listed several organisations and individuals, including the Chief Imam, GOIL, McDan Shipping Company Limited, the German and American embassies, and private citizens, who contributed significant sums and materials toward flood relief, but claimed that most of it never reached the intended beneficiaries.

To ensure peace and sanity, the Association urged the government to disburse future compensation directly into victims’ bank accounts rather than channeling funds through traditional office holders or state-appointed officials.

Mr. Hlordzi cited previous instances of alleged embezzlement and favoritism, which he fears could repeat if the process is not reformed.

“We are not against the traditional authorities in Tongu,” he clarified,“but we are currently drawing this attention to President Dramani Mahama and general public to ensure transparency, equity, and sanity in how these funds are distributed.”

According to the Association, the credible information which comes to us indicates that some individual key personalities are seriously lobbing the government through the Parliament to receive the compensation packages on behalf of the affected flood victims.

"Please what we are saying is that all these actions were taken without even our knowledge and consent.

The question we are asking is  that why is it that these individuals made these moves to collect the compensation packages allocated for us the flood victims without even informing or engaging us," the Association asked.

The Association further noted that "No effective engagement and consultation were done with us before we have heard that these people had made some moves to collect or receive this money on behalf of the real affected flood victims."

According to the group," We are saying big no this move initiated."

"Please our listening President John Dramani Mahama and the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, what we are saying is that our government should do a proper due diligence before releasing the compensation packages because we the real affected victims don't want these monies from the government to be released into the wrong hands. 

"We don't want the repetition of  the high profile corrupt practices which had rocked the previous supports and donations for flood affected victims. These money allocated to be paid our compensation packages was our tax payer's money. So we don't want it to be paid into the wrong hands," the Association raised red flag.

The group also raised concerns about deep holes or inconsistencies in different data collected on affected victims. 

According to Mr. Hlordzi, the Mepe Development Association (MDA) reported 18,000 victims in Mepe, while the Tongu Flood Victims Association identified only 2,000. 

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) reportedly listed 13,000 victims in the same area.

Against this backdrop, the association is now calling on the President Dramani Mahama-led administration to establish a committee of inquiry to verify all data before releasing any funds.

The association further questioned the process behind the resettlement housing project in Battor, demanding clarity on how beneficiaries were selected and how many units each family would receive.

In closing, Mr. Hlordzi vowed that this time, the flood victims would not remain silent if attempts are made to divert resources meant for their recovery.

“We will not allow others to benefit from what rightfully belongs to us,” Mr Hlordzi stressed.

He also revealed that the Association has furnished  NADMO, Speaker of Parliament, Coordinating Director of North Tongu District Assembly, and the Volta River Authority (VRA) with the data they have gathered on the real victims.

This, they hope should guide the government in distributing the compensation to the real victims instead of giving out money to people who do not deserve it.

The Tongu Flood Victims Association is now awaiting a response from the government and has reiterated its commitment to peaceful advocacy for justice and equity.

However, in a quick rebuttal, the Chairman of 
the Mepe Development Association, Mr Fabian Mawulenu Kojo described the data collected by the MDA as very credible and accurate.

According to him, the Association has taken measures to ensure that it covers all the people who had been adversely affected by the flood disaster.

He stresed that the MDA's data collected as well as relief items recevied on the flood affected victims were captured in its audited record made public to chiefs and people of Mepe Traditional Area.

Mr Fabian also gave details information bout fair distributions to the real affected flood victims of the various relief items it has received from various philanthropists, individual personalities/ organisations and donors in the wake of the flood disaster.

He stresed that their hands are clean and denied any wrong doing in the wake of the flood disaster.