Member of Parliament for the Shai-Osudoku Constituency, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has expressed grave concern over the government’s ongoing neglect of communities affected by the devastating floods caused by the spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
Over a year has passed since the spillage, yet many of those impacted, particularly in the Volta Region, have received little to no support or compensation from the government.
Hon. Ocloo suggested that this lack of action could be perceived as intentional, hinting at a possible political motive.
She raised the concern that the spillage might have been a deliberate move to punish regions like the Volta, which are known strongholds of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for not supporting the ruling party in past elections.
“The spillage from the Akosombo Dam affected 19 constituencies, all of which are strongholds of the NDC. A year has gone by, and still, the people have not been compensated. While private individuals have stepped up and built houses for those affected in just four months, the government has done nothing,” Hon. Ocloo shared during an interview on Ahotor FM’s morning show ‘Adekyee Mu Nsem’.
She further accused the government of politicizing the situation, stating that their inaction only reinforces suspicions of deliberate neglect.
Background:
The recent spillage from the Akosombo Dam is not the first of its kind. The Volta River Authority (VRA) has carried out similar exercises in the past, including in the years 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, and 1991, with the most recent spillage occurring in 2010.
These spillages are typically conducted to prevent water from overtopping the dam.
However, the response to this latest incident has sparked significant controversy and concern. On September 15, 2023, the VRA once again began spilling excess water due to rising levels in both the Akosombo and Kpong hydro dams.
Hon. Ocloo’s remarks highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the affected communities and the perceived inadequacies in the government’s response.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites✍️) / Ahotoronline.com
