Akosombo Dam Spillage Gov’t Sets Up Talk Shop As Volta Contends With Deaths and Destruction

In response to the devastating destruction of lives and properties by the recent spillage of the
Akosombo Dam, the Akufo Addo administration has set up a committee to reportedly
“coordinate government’s response” to the “unfortunate” flooding of parts of the Volta
Region.
Farmlands, homes and several infrastructure in more than 100 communities were destroyed
by the flooding last week. Whatsup News is gathering that several scores of people may have
died in the spillage. No official records have yet been published about the reported death toll.
In a communique issued on Friday, October 13, 2023, Minister of Information, listed 13
ministers who would supposedly coordinate this flood response.
Meanwhile, critics are not enthused about the Akufo Addo setting up another committee to
tackle a raging problem, particularly given the failure of such committees in the past.
Some critics even go further to claim that the latest committee is just a ploy to buy time while
the government continues its reported neglect of the people of Volta Region-a political
stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Opposition Members of Parliament representing the affected constituencies have alleged that
the government's lack of response and indifference can be attributed to the fact that the area is a stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In an interview on Class FMs morning show, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie condemned the
NPP government for turning a blind eye to the tragedy befalling the Volta Region. She
expressed her disgust at what she considered discriminatory treatment by President Nana
Akufo-Addo and his ruling party.
Communities downstream of the Akosombo Dam have been reeling from the devastating
impact of the spillage.
The response from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has been
dishearteningly sluggish, leaving the affected population to bear the burden alone.

Despite prior notices from the Volta River Authority (VRA) regarding the impending
spillage, the affected communities have been overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the
damage as the government has failed to allocate sufficient resources to mitigate the
anticipated consequences.
For communities along the vulnerable Keta Lagoon, including major towns like Keta,
Anloga, and Aflao, the situation has been a double whammy as they were already grappling
with the effects of relentless tidal waves that have ravaged them for years now.