Social media has erupted with criticism after the Sanitation Minister, Freda Prempeh, attributed blame to flood victims affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage, accusing them of not heeding early warnings to evacuate.

This statement has drawn sharp condemnation from the public.

The Minister, while addressing the flood situation, asserted that the victims refused to relocate despite numerous warnings from the Volta River Authority (VRA) and other state agencies.

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

“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," she insisted.

But a section of Ghanaians have take to social media to criticize the Minister's stance, emphasizing the hardship faced by the flood victims, the majority of whom are now displaced and in dire need of assistance.

This is low even for them. It makes absolutely no sense. So when you asked them to move where did you expect them to go exactly? https://t.co/11nazNy04d

— kukuwaa.o (@fantsehemaa) October 24, 2023

The Akosombo Dam spillage has resulted in widespread flooding, displacing residents and causing extensive damage to properties in various communities.

Critics of the Minister's statement have called for a more empathetic and constructive approach towards assisting flood victims and ensuring their safety and well-being.

I don’t know who advises this government and it appointees. How can you make such irresponsible and damaging comments in times like this. Completely uncalled for. https://t.co/L6LimSIao9

— Kwabena Mensah (@benkymens) October 24, 2023

Find more reactions below:

I’m staring to believe that Ghana is just a satirical TV show at the point, this can’t be real https://t.co/Lxmm3ZTnlZ

— euricz/ (@eurica__) October 24, 2023

Told to leave and go where ? Was there a clear plan communicated to them ? Who was told about the impending spillage ? How much time were they given ? Also, was it on them to monitor the rising water levels so the spillage didn’t have to be this much ? https://t.co/yAeJCG5zWR

— Francis Dumatonu (@FrancisTimeBomb) October 24, 2023

They should evacuate and go where? What housing measures were put in place for them? This woman is wearing designer sunglasses blaming poor people for not leaving their homes, meanwhile politicians are hiding millions of stolen funds in their homes. What a joke. https://t.co/eDxFMOOmi9

— Anokye (@kwakuboyy) October 24, 2023

Disappointed but not surprised. I mean the president set the tone for these insensitive comments. Very convenient for her to blame it on the people and very typical of this government to shift posts and blame the whole world than themselves https://t.co/3j9aRZPdn7

— Owo (@exceden) October 24, 2023

Straight out of the “Fix yourself”playbook https://t.co/eFgNBTJTNl

— TeriWiizi Jvstin (@teriwiizi) October 24, 2023