A committee of Parliament, comprising seven members, has embarked on a thorough fact-finding mission to investigate the recent spillage of excess water from the Akosombo Dam and assess its impact on affected communities in the lower Volta basin.

The committee, established by the Speaker of Parliament, is chaired by Sulemana Adamu Sanid and includes members Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, Helen Adzoa Ntoso, Dr Kwabena Donkor, Dr Marfo Emmanuel, Francisca Oteng-Mensah, and Ing. Kennedy Kludjeson.

Their mandate is to gather firsthand information on the devastation caused by the spillage and to evaluate the preparedness and response efforts of the Volta River Authority and other relevant agencies.

The committee began its tour with a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, signalling the gravity of their mission and their commitment to addressing the crisis. This visit marked the start of an extensive engagement with key stakeholders across the region.

The fact-finding tour included visits to the North Tongu, South Tongu, and Central Tongu districts, where the committee met with District Chief Executives, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, Assembly members, and other opinion leaders. These discussions were essential in understanding the local context and the specific challenges faced by the affected communities.

During their visit, the committee inspected several camps, including Degorme Camp, Dodzi Camp, and Agbetikpo, where victims displaced by the spillage are currently housed in tents. The dire conditions observed in these camps underscored the severity of the crisis and the ongoing hardships endured by the displaced residents.

The committee’s mandate also includes evaluating the preparedness and response actions taken by the Volta River Authority and other agencies involved in managing the disaster. The findings from these assessments will inform the committee’s recommendations to Parliament, aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future or mitigating their impact.

At a meeting in the North Tongu Assembly, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for the area, raised serious concerns about utility agencies disconnecting electricity and water supplies to the camps, further exacerbating the difficulties faced by the displaced residents.

Helen Adzoa Ntoso, the Member of Parliament for Krachi West, also highlighted the plight of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and pregnant women, emphasizing the need for immediate interventions to safeguard their well-being.

Gabby Alexander Hottordze, the Member of Parliament for Central Tongu, contributed to the discussions, drawing attention to additional issues requiring urgent action.

Following the tour, committee chairman Sulemana Adamu Sanid expressed confidence in the information gathered, assuring that the committee would make well-informed recommendations to Parliament.

These recommendations are expected to guide future actions to avert or minimize the impact of similar disasters, ultimately ensuring better protection for communities in the lower Volta basin.