President Nana Akufo-Addo has told the victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage that his government is committed to ensuring they are relieved. 

The President said the inter-ministerial committee established to address the issue will work with his office to ensure this is done. 

He made this known on Monday, October 16, when he visited some of the affected districts in the Volta Region. 

“I am aware that you are a farming people and the people who are farming on the banks of the rivers and had their crops destroyed, one of the things the Agriculture Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Office of the President are going to do is to work together with the district assemblies to decide the exact support we have to give to you when the water has gone away.”

“And this is why I am saying that the Committee is working in several phases, one being to provide immediate relief, and then to prevent such happening in the future and I want you to know the government is going to do everything in its powers to assist to ensure everything is all right.”

He also stirred controversy when he subtly reminded the victims that they did not vote for his party. 

According to him, although he did garner enough votes from the region, he was there to sympathise with them as a leader of the country.

He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to desist from politicising such occurrences.

“My visit here is a very simple one. It is to come and sympathise and commiserate with you about the tragedy that has occurred.

"When it happened, I was in America on an official business and the Chief of Staff called me in America about what had happened and we discussed what had to be done.”

“We agreed to establish an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate government response to the tragedy…,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed its disappointment with President Akufo-Addo's comments. 

Regional Secretary of the Volta NDC James Gunu issued a statement expressing the party's concerns about the President's visit and the impact of his speech on the flood victims.

The statement highlighted what the party sees as the emotional distress that the President's remarks have caused to the victims in North Tongu.

The statement also pointed out the lack of specific assistance and concrete plans mentioned in the President's speech, leaving flood victims without clear information on the support and resources that will be made available to them.

About the flooding situation 

The flooding caused by the spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams has forced many communities in the north, south, and central Tongu districts of the Volta region to evacuate, leaving them with no choice but to try and salvage what's left of their belongings.

The situation is dire, with the Comboni Hospital staff having to evacuate their quarters and seek shelter under a pavilion.

Patients have also been discharged, with only 10 in critical condition remaining. If the water levels do not recede soon, they may also have to be discharged.