Akosombo Dam spillage floods: GMA calls on govt to include Health Minister in Inter-ministerial Committee
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on the government to immediately include the Minister of Health Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu as a matter of urgency to the Inter-ministerial Committee tasked to coordinate the government’s response to victims affected by the Akosombo dam spillage.
GMA explains that the provision of emergency healthcare and support, prevention of possible outbreaks of water-borne diseases, risk communication, and ensuring continuity of essential health services are fundamental to the support being extended to the affected persons, hence there is the need for the Minister of Health to be included in the inter-ministerial committee.
“The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is deeply concerned by the devastating flooding of many communities along the Volta River as a result of the spillage from the Akosombo Dam”.
“This has led to the displacement of many communities, destruction of property, loss of livelihoods, and disruption of healthcare and other critical services”.
“The National Executive Council of the GMA expresses its deep sympathy and commiserates with the victims of this unfortunate event”.
“The GMA welcomes the formation of an Inter-ministerial Committee to address the flooding and related issues”.
“We have noted the exclusion of the Minister of Health from this Committee even though the Ministry of Health will play a central role in relief efforts”.
“The provision of emergency healthcare and support, prevention of possible outbreaks of water-borne diseases, risk communication, and ensuring continuity of essential health services are fundamental to a response of this nature”.
“We therefore call on the government to immediately include the Minister of Health as a matter of urgency”, GMA stated in a press statement signed and released by Dr. Frank Serebour, GMA President, and Dr. Richard Selormey, Ag. General Secretary on October 16, 2023.
Moreover, the Association indicated that health workers, logistics, and other resources are being mobilized to support relief efforts in the affected communities and will continue to monitor the situation.
“The Association is mobilizing our members, logistics, and other resources to support relief efforts in the affected communities and will continue to monitor the situation”.
The Association also appealed to the public to support the ongoing efforts to rescue and resettle the many people displaced by this tragic event.
“We appeal to Corporate Ghana, Ghanaians, and other stakeholders to support ongoing efforts to rescue and resettle the many people displaced by this tragic event”.
“The GMA calls for better coordination between the Volta River Authority (VRA), National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), and other relevant government agencies to prevent such disasters in the future”.
GMA also showed appreciation to health workers stationed in the affected areas for their selfless service to the affected victims evacuated from their permanent homes.
“We are grateful to the Medical Doctors and other health workers rendering relief services to the people affected by this disaster”.
Find the full statement below
