The Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Freda Prempeh has blamed victims of the floods induced by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam for not heeding early warnings by the Volta River Authority and other state agencies to evacuate.

The Minister said the victims refused to relocate until the unfortunate incident happened, making them a burden to the government.

According to her, the government now has to spend limited resources to ensure relief items are provided for them.

“We don’t want what has happened in Akosombo to happen to us in Accra. The Akosombo spillage, even though VRA, NADMO, and the Water Resource Commission came together to educate the people in the community, did a simulation exercise at Mepe, yet they refused to leave, they didn’t want to be evacuated, they stayed there till the end when we started spilling.

Akosombo Dam Spillage: Sanitation and Water Resources Minister Freda Prempeh blames flood victims for not heeding early warnings by authorities to evacuate. #JoyNews #AkosomboDamSpillage pic.twitter.com/EHODYNu9Vr

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) October 23, 2023

“Unfortunately, look at what is happening, the government has to spend millions of money on relief items, the whole area the water is contaminated, and Ghana Water Company and Water Resources Commission will have to spend millions of money to treat the water before we can pass it through our pipes. So a stitch in time saves nine, but sometimes it is difficult to accept the situation. We cannot continue to sit down and allow these things to happen," she told the media on Monday, October 23.

Background

On September 15, the Volta River Authority commenced the spilling of excess water due to rising levels of the Akosombo and Kpong hydro dams.

Weeks after the spillage started, many residents living along the Lower Volta Basin lost their homes and farms to the floods caused by the spillage.

Nine districts are known to have suffered from the floods, with inhabitants caught up in this humanitarian crisis.

Heart-wrenching tales have emerged from the South, Central, and North Tongu districts of the Volta Region, where the devastation has known no bounds.

The once vibrant communities of Battor, Tefle, Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, and Anlo have been submerged, their existence nearly swallowed by the unrelenting waters.

Over 26,000 people according to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NaDMO), have been displaced and rendered homeless.

Some institutions and individuals have since presented relief items to residents.

President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and other political figures have also visited the communities.

The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Minority caucus have also extended a helping hand to the victims.