The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, criticized the president’s recent speech, labeling it as disappointing for its lack of empathy towards those affected by the Akosombo dam spillage.
During a media interview, Hon. Ablakwa expressed his disappointment, highlighting President Akuffo Addo’s reputation for humanitarian gestures, both within Ghana and beyond, by sending solidarity messages to those in danger. However, in this instance, the President failed to acknowledge the plight of the affected community in his two-hour address, which included no mention of the government’s plans for their resettlement.
Mr. Ablakwa pointed out that, according to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), approximately 1,500 households have been destroyed, and thousands of residents are now living in makeshift shelters. The absence of any reference to the situation or the government’s proposed actions in the State of the Nation Address has left the people of the disaster-stricken area feeling neglected.
Expressing his disappointment, Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that the President’s speech lacked any indication of empathy, compensation, or a resettlement plan for the affected community. He underscored the significance of such omissions in the national address, stating, “He bemoaned the fact that the president expressed no intent of empathy, compensation, or resettlement of the affected community or even uttered a word of solidarity throughout the entire address, which is particularly disheartening.”
Listen to the audio below:
Story by: Appiah Kubi/Ahotoronline.com
