A non-profit organization, Trailblazers Ghana, in collaboration with Rafimex Company Limited, a professional distribution firm that trades in FMCG, groceries, toiletries, detergents, and a wide range of supermarket products, has donated items in support of some victims displaced by the Akosombo dam spillage in the North and South Tongu districts of the Volta Region.

Rafimex, a full service operator in the distribution value chain offers service in supply chain, logistics, distribution, sales and promotions.

The team from the two entities visited Tefle, Mepe and Tokpo Ayidome-Juapong, where some of those displaced by the floods had settled in camps.

Food items worth GHS 50,000 and stationery such as books, diaries, pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers and about 300 pieces of polo shirts were presented to the victims.

The food items comprised Atlanta Mackerel, Atlanta spaghetti and Pure Heaven juice.

A lawyer, Esinam Adablah, Head Legal at Rafimex led the team.

The Administrator of Trailblazers Ghana, Ms. Gifty Takyi, whose organization seeks to improve and empower women and children in rural and underprivileged communities, said, “Rafimex Company Limited is a company that believes in giving back to the society.”

According to her, “the company believes that donating to the victims affected by the Akosombo dam village is not only a corporate social responsibility, but a way to contribute to create a more stable and resilient community and country as a whole after this tragic event.”

She noted the company is of the view that the victims of the Akosombo dam spillage sacrificed on behalf of the entire country, hence the decision to reach out to them with love and support.

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who was present at the ceremony to hand over the items to the victims, assured them that steps will be taken to ensure that the Volta River Authority (VRA) compensates the affected victims.

He also promised that when parliament resumes, he will move a motion for authorities of VRA to be questioned over the spillage for the right steps to be taken to prevent such a disaster.
He vowed that if VRA fails to compensate the victims, he will be forced to support the communities to take legal action against VRA.

He reminded the community members about the contamination of the Volta River and the need for them to stop taking it since health officials have already started recording water-borne diseases such as typhoid.

He urged them to rely solely on the sachet water that has been donated by benevolent individuals and organizations such as Trailblazers and Rafimex Company Limited.

“These organizations, philanthropists extraordinaire of their own volition have come here to support you with all these items. I didn’t have to call them. We thank Rafimex General Trading Company for coming to your aid of their own volition. Trailbraiilzer also came to support with exercise books and pens, and we thank all of them for their outstanding support” the MP said.
He assured the victims of the support of all well-meaning Ghanaians and the international community to get through the crisis.

“We're in this together; you are not alone. You are not going to be abandoned. There's no need to be panicking, to be traumatized and to be worried. Corporate Ghana and NGOs are in solidarity with us. The international community is strongly backing us, so nobody should feel isolated or abandoned. We have an army of supporters, so many people are supporting us, and that should give us encouragement” he added.

The flooding caused by the spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong hydro 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 live in makeshift structures in the meantime.

Reports from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) indicate that more than 26,000 individuals have been displaced by these floods.

For many, it has resulted in the loss of homes, possessions, and livelihoods.