Akosombo Dam spillage: Your comments have rather worsened victims’ plight – Volta NDC to Akufo-Addo
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed its disappointment with President Akufo-Addo’s speech when he visited the Volta Region to assess and commiserate with people affected by floods.
The President’s remarks during his visit have drawn criticism from the NDC, with some describing them as insensitive in the wake of devastating floods that have affected the area.
President Akufo-Addo toured the districts severely affected by the flooding and assured the affected communities of his administration’s commitment to addressing the situation.
He indicated that the inter-ministerial committee he commissioned to tackle issues about the flooding is to decide the immediate relief to be provided to the victims and also to ensure such a disaster of greater proportion does not happen in the future.
“The coordination is about the immediate and the most important thing was to ensure the life of people and that is why 9 centres were established for all the displaced people and all the people in these 9 centres have been provided relief items by NADMO, and NADMO intends to continue to provide relief items. Apart from what NADMO is doing, we must also think about the future.
“And this is why I am saying that the Committee is working in several phases, one being to provide immediate relief, and then to prevent such happening in the future and I want you to know the government is going to do everything in its powers to assist to ensure everything is all right.”
The President stated, “I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and are suffering, and it is my responsibility to try and help. Because, if it is a question of counting who votes for me and who doesn’t vote for me, then I shouldn’t be here because you don’t vote for me. But that is not my concern. And, in any event, one day you will vote for me and my party.”
Portions of the President’s speech have not been well-received by a section of the public, with many finding them lacking in sensitivity given the gravity of the flooding crisis.
Regional Secretary of the Volta NDC James Gunu in a statement expressed the party’s concerns about the President’s visit and the impact of his speech on the flood victims.
The statement highlights what the party sees as the emotional distress that the President’s remarks have caused to the victims in North Tongu.
The statement points out the lack of specific assistance and concrete plans mentioned in the President’s speech, leaving flood victims without clear information on the support and resources that will be made available to them.
The NDC also criticizes the President’s choice of words and tone, which they say exacerbated the emotional turmoil faced by the victims.
Additionally, “many flood victims expected immediate solutions for housing, healthcare, and essential services. These expectations have not been addressed.”
The NDC further called for a swift and effective response to assist the flood victims during this challenging time.