The President, John Evans Atta Mills, has expressed his sympathy to hundreds of Ghanaians who were affected by Sunday’s heavy downpour. Accompanied by National Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation, (NADMO), Kofi Portuphy; Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alban Bagbin; and other ministers of state, the president toured some of the worst hit areas in the Central and Greater Accra Regions. Sunday’s downpour reportedly claimed about 35 lives and displaced hundreds. The flood waters also destroyed houses and infrastructure including roads and bridges, as well as properties. President Mills expressing his condolence to those whose relatives died in the floods and also promised to undertake measures to ensure that the incident was not repeated. Even in the case of a similar torrent, the president expects the impact would be mitigated. He asked residents of the affected areas to keep their hope in the government, promising to ensure that relief supplies get to those displaced. According to Joy News’ Richard Kojo Nyarko who accompanied the inspection team, parts of the road linking Accra to Winneba were washed away rendering them unmotorable. “It is not very safe or convenient for people to even walk on let alone vehicles,” he observed. At Agona Swedru, he reported that in addition to the destroyed properties, the main stadium was submerged by the flood. At least three bridges were also completely destroyed. He said the town has been divided into two with those in one part unable to move into the other half. He said the president acknowledged the unexpected nature of the damage and assured that the bridges would be repaired as soon as possible, to enhance easy transport. Currently, he said, people are being sheltered at the Agona Swedru town hall and in some classrooms as relief items were yet to get to them. The people, he recounted, were happy and applauded the president for the visit, hoping he would do something to alleviate their plight. In the meantime, NADMO is calling for more logistical assistance from the government to deal with the situation more effectively. Its National Coordinator, Kofi Purtophy, has commended the government for its support to the organization as well as the Japanese government’s $7.5m to purchase equipment to facilitate their emergency response and flood management activities. He also thanked the Dutch government for assisting NADMO and its sister agencies with 68 million euros. Mr Purtophy said at Tema, Ashaiman and Manhyean alone, all in the Greater Accra region, about 682 persons were displaced by the floods. Temporary shelters have been provided for them at the Tema Community 5 and the Naval Base. Play the attached audio for the report on the tour Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com