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Residents in the three Tongu districts of the Volta Region have been displaced following the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday (11 October) when locals were forced to vacate their homes due to the flood.
“All we want now is for the authorities to intervene by solving the problem,” Mensah Akporsu, a 76-year-old fisherman in Alikekope said. “Most importantly, we want them to dredge the lake (to enable the water flow into the estuary).”
“This is my home and I’ve no other place like here therefore I am not ready to relocate. I don’t want to be a stranger in anyone’s land.”
For him and many other inhabitants in the affected communities, the Volta River Authority (VRA) must swiftly find a way to solve the problem.
Mepe, the district capital of North Tongu was heavily affected. Residents in the community lost their belongings, especially home appliances and clothes to the flood.
The situation also affected teaching and learning in some basic schools in the area as school blocks were submerged. Resident’s livelihoods were not spared either, according to local authorities.
The spillage also flooded Sogakope Bulk Supply Point of GRIDCo which has led to a temporary shut down of the station.
Keta, Sogakope, Anloga, Akatsi, Adidome, Abor and the various islands in the districts are cut off the national grid as a result of the situation.
A press statement issued by the Volta River Authority – managers of the dam – said the company in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has offered support to affected communities.
Some residents, however, say they are yet to receive any attention.
Meanwhile, the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has urged the VRA to slow down the spillage of the Akosombo dam to allow safe evacuation of residents.
