Public shows support for victims of Akosombo Dam spillage

Some residents of North Tongu in distress

The Volta River Authority (VRA) on September 15, commenced the spillage of excess water in the Akosombo and Kpong hydro dams as part of its sustainability efforts.

The move has had devastating effects on people living at low-lying areas close to the dams in various parts of the country including com­munities in the Volta, Eastern and Greater Accra regions.

Essentially, persons have been evacuated from their homes, farms and businesses which were consumed by the excess water from the dam.

Over 40,000 persons had since been displaced with loss of proper­ties and farms running into millions of cedis aside psychological and health issues associated with the spillage.

With public toilets, schools, mortu­aries, churches, mosques and other amenities submerged by the spillage, rendering people homeless and rely­ing on interventions from individuals and corporate entities for survival.

The media also assisted to raise funds for the victims with notable names including former President John Mahama and brother, Ibrahim Mahama, actresses Lydia Forson, John Dumelo, Fella Makafui, musi­cian Edem, traditional ruler Togbe Afede XIV with companies like SIC, Standard Water, First Sky Group, Interplast, the Church of Pentecost and others joining to support.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been instrumental with the provision of relief items to the victims and called on other corporate entities and individuals to support.