Better late than never but go beyond the mere visit and the rhetoric – Ablakwa tells Akufo-Addo

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament for North Tongu, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to outline concrete plans to alleviate the plight of the people of Mepe and the other areas in the Volta Region that have been impacted by the flooding caused by the Akosombo dam spill.

According to Mr. Ablakwa, the populace is presently experiencing a humanitarian crisis and holds the president accountable for implementing measures to alleviate their plight.

"I do not believe now is the time to discuss votes; this is a humanitarian crisis; entire communities and individuals have been submerged in water; and the VRA continues to leak."

"There is overwhelming evidence that significantly more communities will be impacted." Mr. Ablakwa stated on TV3 on Monday, "At this time, my primary concern is safeguarding lives and ensuring that individuals are protected so that they can maintain their physical and spiritual integrity while participating in the 19 caps that we have established, rather than the election."

In response to the President's voting remark, Mr. Ablakwa stated, "I believe that those remarks [by the President] are unnecessary at this time; my people believe that his response was too late; the manner in which he swiftly comments on disasters elsewhere, especially in other countries, we failed to recognise that in this case; it took considerable public outrage for him to establish the interministerial committee and then visit us here; however, as the saying goes, better late than never." Beyond mere rhetoric and visits, it is of the utmost importance to ascertain the specific measures that are being implemented to mitigate the suffering of our people.

On Monday, October 16, during his address to the residents of Mepe who were impacted by the floodwaters resulting from the Dam Spillage, Mr. Akufo-Addo asserted that his presidency is universal for all Ghanaians, regardless of their electoral affiliation.

A strong base of the principal opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the president reassured the chiefs and people of Mepe and the other towns in the North, South, and Central Tongu regions of the region, that the government will do everything within its authority to alleviate their plight.


"I swore the oath of office as president on behalf of each and every individual in Ghana, of all districts, and regardless of whether they voted for me or not; I am the president of the entire population of Ghana once I have taken the oath of office," he explained.

"Therefore, Togbe, your elders, and I wish for you to comprehend that when the government responds to such an incident, it is doing so on behalf of the people of Ghana."It is my duty to assist the Ghanaian people, who are experiencing hardships and suffering, which prompted me to travel here. If determining who ballots for me and who does not is the issue, I should not be present since you do not support my candidature; however, that is not within the scope of this discussion. You will eventually cast your ballot in support of my party and myself.


"I chose Mepe as the location where I could extend my condolences and solidarity with the people residing in the Mepe area this afternoon. This region has been significantly impacted."



"We are also extremely appreciative of the VRA's efforts, including the sensitization and preparations they have undertaken over the years in a similar circumstance, the simulation exercise, and everything else they have done to prepare for this." "By virtue of their benevolent actions thus far, and by the favour of God, not a solitary person has perished in this crisis," he explained.



He emphasised, "Whatever measures fall within the government's purview to alleviate this situation, they will be implemented."



The floods have adversely affected the food, shelter, education, health, mobility, and mobility of minors in the affected communities.