At least 54,000 people from 66 communities in 12 districts and municipalities in the Volta Region have been displaced by the recent floods, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has confirmed.
This is readily evident in the Anloga, South Tongu, Central Tongu, North Tongu, Akatsi North, Akatsi South, Adaklu, and Agotime Ziope districts. The other affected areas are the Ketu North, Ketu South, Akatsi South, and Keta municipalities.
In response, NADMO on Saturday, July 11, presented a consignment of food and other relief items to the victims through their municipal and district chief executives. The presentation took place at the frontage of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, with some Members of Parliament from the affected areas also present.
The items included 2,000 bags of rice; 400 cartons of cooking oil; 2,000 mattresses; 600 packets of mosquito coil; and 400 blankets. They also included 240 pieces of soap, 2,000 basins, 400 cups, and 400 plates.
The Volta Regional Director of NADMO, Paschal Agbagba, who presented the items, said the floods had not yet receded in some of the communities. "So, the people are not yet out of the woods," he added.
Meanwhile, at Azizadzi in the Keta Municipality, the flood gates were opened for the water to run into the sea, said Mr Agbagba. He said that with more rains expected, NADMO was preparing for more support for the affected communities.
Regional Minister
The Regional Minister, James Gunu, who received the items on behalf of the MDCEs, said the region had suffered the brunt of the disaster in no uncertain terms. He said the floods had also damaged school blocks and health facilities in some of the communities, and brought commercial activities and livelihoods to a standstill.
Mr Gunu said some drains were now being redesigned and others were being desilted to prevent more floods. He commended the assemblies of the affected municipalities and districts for their prompt response to the situation.
"That, notwithstanding, we are still appealing to corporate Ghana to assist the flood victims in various ways for life to return to normal in the affected communities," the regional minister added.
He entreated the MDCEs to ensure the relief items reached the people as early as possible.
The Dean of MDCEs in the region, Jerry Ameko, said the government's prompt response to the situation bore ample testimony to its concerns for the well-being of the people.
