Retract your comments, apologize to flood victims-Volta NDC to Freda Prempeh

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region has condemned comments made by the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Freda Prempeh, blaming residents affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage for their circumstances.

Madam Freda Prempeh blamed residents in the Lower Volta area for refusing to relocate despite numerous warnings from the Volta River Authority (VRA) and other state agencies.

According to her, while the government and other stakeholders are being blamed for the disaster, the residents also played a role in it.

The Volta NDC, in a statement signed by the regional chairman, Mr. Mawutor Agbavitor said “We mince no words in outrightly reprehending such a callous and unsympathetic stance, which only serves to exacerbate the pain and suffering of the affected individuals and communities.

“We thought as a mother, the Sanitation Minister would take advantage of the platform provided by the October 23rd Ghana Water Company Limited event to somehow appease the residents of the hardest-hit communities, coming just on the heels of the President’s unfortunate utterances on the situation when he paid a reluctant visit. However, typical of Nana Addo’s appointees, she heartlessly chose to emulate her appointor.”

The party called on Madam Prempeh to retract her comments and apologize.

Below is the full statement:

VOLTA NDC CONDEMNS FREDA PREMPEH’S INSENSITIVE COMMENTS ON THE LOWER VOLTA FLOOD SITUATION

The NDC in the Volta Region stands in staunch opposition and joins the many reasonable voices to strongly condemn the appalling comments made by the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Madam Freda Prempeh, which purport to blame the victims of the recent man-made flood disaster for their dire circumstances. We mince no words in outrightly reprehending such a callous and unsympathetic stance, which only serves to exacerbate the pain and suffering of the affected individuals and communities.

We thought as a mother, the Sanitation Minister would take advantage of the platform provided by the October 23rd Ghana Water Company Limited event to somehow appease the residents of the hardest-hit communities at the back of the President’s unfortunate utterances on the situation when he paid a reluctant visit. However, typical of Nana Addo’s appointees, she heartlessly chose to emulate her appointor.

In the wake of this catastrophic flood disaster that has left countless families displaced and in distress, we expect all well-meaning individuals to deem it a time for sobriety, unity, empathy, and deliberate constructive rescue actions. Instead, the Minister has chosen to unfairly point fingers at those who are already enduring immense hardship. This certainly is not the sort of leadership our nation needs during such an avoidable crisis.

The victims of this flood disaster, who are also Ghanaians, deserve our support, assistance, and compassion, not accusation or condemnation or blame. The government of the day should be seen to be working diligently at providing relief, assistance, and resources to help these communities recover from the devastation that they have endured thus far.

We call upon Madam Freda Prempeh to retract her insensitive comments and issue a formal apology to the flood victims and their families. It is imperative that our government officials exhibit the highest levels of empathy and responsibility in such times of crisis.

We also want to inform the NPP Government that Volta NDC would hold them to the fire of accountability by making sure that they fully compensate all the flood victims who, by no fault of theirs, are enduring the devastating consequences of the recent unplanned spillages so other Ghanaians can have a reliable supply of electricity while saving the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectricity installations.

The Volta NDC remains committed to holding the government accountable for its actions and to advocating for the welfare of all our citizens irrespective of their political inclinations. We stand in solidarity with the flood victims and their communities, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that they receive the support and aid they so desperately need.

Signed:

Comrade Mawutor Agbavitor

(NDC Volta Regional Chairman)