The Akufo-Addo government has curiously refused to acknowledge the plight of the people of Keta in the Volta Region whose homes were swept away by tidal waves from the sea.
This silence is loud in how the recently unveiled 2022 budget failed to mention a single policy to address the perennial tide in the coastal towns of the Volta Region, the political stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa notes in a write-up that even earlier assurance by an Akufo-Addo Minister that issues about the disaster will be addressed, the Budget has been silent on it.
“Contrary to the assurances of the Works and Housing Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye … the entire outlook of his Ministry provided at pages 163 to 165 (see attached) makes absolutely no provision to address this national disaster,” Okudzeto noted.
“I have additionally combed through the 329-page budget to find hope for our desperate compatriots, but alas, just as the President refused to say a word of empathy or solidarity prior to the Budget presentation so has the Budget which is delivered on his authority pursuant to Articles 179 and 180 of the 1992 Constitution been dead silent on this national emergency.”
The MP also notes that a careful read of the budget statement clearly shows that the government has no plan, whatsoever to fix the problematic lack of defense against the sea.
Akufo-Addo’s silence over the disaster which has leftover 4,000 Ghanaians displaced in Ketu South, Keta, Anlo, South Tongu and Ada constituencies, is no different from the similar silent treatment that his administration had given to the killing of 8 persons by security agents during the 2020 elections.
According to Okudzetoi Ablakwa, selfsame Akufo-Addo who has been ignoring distraught Ghanaians would have been rushing to donate if the victims of the disaster were other nationals.
“As many Ghanaians have pointed out, if this tragedy had happened in another country, President Akufo-Addo would have been among the first to express sympathy and would most likely have followed up with a visit and handsome donations as has been his reputation; the question, therefore, is — why is charity not beginning from home? Where is the conscience of Government? Our fellow Ghanaians do not deserve this cruel neglect,” Ablakwa wrote.