Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has visited victims of the recent devastating floods in Upper East region.

He was accompanied by the Upper East Regional Minister, Patience Tangoba Abayege; Interior Minister Ambrose Derry; Deputy Roads and Highways Minister, Anthony Abayifa Karbo as well as National and Regional Directors of the National Disaster Management Organisation
(NADMO) to interact with affected persons in the community.

The floods, caused by the opening of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso and
days of torrential rainfall in northern Ghana, has reportedly led to the deaths of 10 persons, destruction of large hectares of farmland and hundreds of livestock, and washed away parts of some major roads, cutting off some communities.

Speaking at Anateem, where some families are temporarily accommodated,
Dr Bawumia expressed government's condolences to the families of the 10
people who perished, and farmers who lost their livestock and crops.

"It is a disaster and a very sad situation. We have unfortunately lost lives,
about ten people, I am told, have lost their lives. On behalf of the President, I express government's commiseration to families of the victims," he said.

Addressing the press during an assessment visit to the Kubore Zebila-Bawku road, which has seen parts washed away by the heavy flood, Dr Bawumia said government was yet to invest in the Pwalugu Dam to help address the problem.

"That is the most important antidote to all of these. That is why we have
moved to secure the Pwalugu Dam project, and this project is the biggest dam project we have in the northern region.

He explained that prior to the flooding, contractors had already
commenced work by clearing the site up to the river.

Speaking on washed away portions of the Kubore road which links Bolga and Bawku, the Vice President said the Ghana Highway Authority is waiting for flood waters to subside before contractors move on site to fix the bridge and reconnect the road.

Some of the areas affected include Somaaman, Sakapa, Bluima, Katigri,
Pwalugu and Bolga.