The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has provided clarification regarding the recent floods in several districts of the country.
According to Mr Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh, the Director-General of NADMO, most of the affected areas, including districts in the Oti, Savannah, and Bono East Regions, experienced flooding due to torrential rains and the overflow of the Black Volta in the northern part of the country.
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He stated that the flooding was not primarily caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams by the Volta River Authority (VRA).
Mr. Agyemang-Prempeh addressed the press at Battor on “Update on government relief efforts after the Akosombo Dam spillage” and highlighted NADMO's efforts to assess and deliver relief items to the Coordinating Council of the affected regions. He mentioned that NADMO had been actively engaged with traditional leaders and stakeholders in the affected areas.
Regarding the Akosombo Dam spillage, he noted that several relief items were received from individuals and organizations since the time of the spillage. NADMO collaborated with the VRA to ensure that residents were provided with provisions such as water, food items, and other essentials on a daily basis.
Mr. Agyemang-Prempeh urged traditional leaders to make land available for government reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives, and he emphasized the importance of assessing the structural integrity of dwellings for safety before allowing occupation.
He reaffirmed NADMO's commitment to its mandate, stating that “disaster anywhere does not know political colour or status to afflict victims.”
Mr. Seji Saji Amedonu, Deputy Director-General of NADMO, reported that the organization had recorded 39,133 affected residents and 129 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the eight affected districts.
He mentioned that NADMO had engaged the Ambulance Service and the Ghana Armed Forces to support victims with health challenges and emphasized the significance of early warning systems.
Amedonu added that NADMO had deployed various resources, including search and rescue operations, evacuation, and administration, to stabilize the situation.
Madam Fatimatu Abubakar, Deputy Minister of Information, assured that the government had plans underway to provide comfortable housing for the affected residents. She explained that NADMO officials were tasked with fumigating the houses that were submerged as the floods receded.
She highlighted that the government, represented by all state institutions, was working tirelessly to bring the situation under control.
