Political science lecturer, Prof Ransford Gyampo has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo following some comments made by the latter when he visited the victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage. 

Professor Gyampo described the President’s comments as unpresidential and unacceptable and should not be coming from him. 

President Akufo-Addo on Monday, October 16, stirred controversy when he subtly reminded some victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage at Mepe in the Volta Region that he is present to sympathise with them although the residents do not vote for his party.

Many have criticised the President, describing his comment as insensitive. The NDC in particular has not taken it lightly and has berated him for the comments at such a critical time.

Some have demanded an apology from the president, despite his assurance of the government’s support to the thousands who have been affected in many communities in the North, South, and Central Tongu districts of the Volta region.

Even though, the National Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has justified the comments, the UTAG-UG President has rejected same. 

In his view, President Akufo-Addo did not speak as he ought to as a president. 

“The fact that he is the president for the entire country, he spoke well but there were portions of his statements that were unnecessary, they were unpresidential and they were unstatesmanly. I mean he did not speak like the statesman that he ought to be.”

Prof. Gyampo added that the country is confronted with a national crisis and that all it requires is good leadership that will assuage the predicaments of the citizens.

“When there is a national crisis, all that we require is leadership and not nauseating partisan commentary.”

Aftermath of the spillage

There is a rallying cry for help to be sent to communities along the Volta Basin that have been affected by the spillage from the Akosombo Dam.

Areas such as Anloga, Sogakope, and Mepe, among others, have been submerged by floodwaters, displacing thousands.

This is a result of the controlled spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams by the Volta River Authority (VRA) due to the rising levels of the Volta Lake.

Over the past week, the situation has worsened, with the government and various stakeholders mobilising relief items to ameliorate the plight of the displaced victims.