Government of Ghana has allocated an amount of GH¢220 million in the 2024 Budget to support communities affected by the recent Akosombo spillage and floods in the Oti, Savannah, and Bono-East Regions.
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, revealed this on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, during his presentation of the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament.
“Mr. Speaker, Government has budgeted an amount of GH¢220 million to support the relief phase for the communities affected by the Akosombo spillage as well as floods upstream in the Oti, Savannah, and Bono-East Regions,” Ofori-Atta stated.
The Finance Minister noted that for the restoration phase, the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, would allocate additional resources to support the restoration of livelihoods.
“We have requested funding from the World Bank under the IDA Crisis Response Window (CRW) to support the resettlement of the victims, restoration of livelihoods, compensation and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected communities,” he added.
The Finance Minister also expressed excitement that no lives were lost during the flooding incident caused by the Akosombo dam spillage.
“I convey the sincere appreciation of His Excellency President Akufo-Addo and the entire Government to all groups and individuals who have empathised with, and supported the affected families. It is in this same spirit that we must continue to be grateful to God that no lives have been lost due to the devastating spillage from the Akosombo Dam.”
The state-owned power generation company, VRA, on September 15, 2023, commenced controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam due to high inflows into the dam.
The spillage, however, resulted in flooding of some communities downstream, displacing thousands of people with some houses submerged.
As part of its humanitarian efforts, the VRA set aside millions of Ghana cedis to provide relief items to ease the burden of the victims.
Aside from VRA, both public and private institutions and individuals have made substantial donations of relief items to victims, with some radio and television stations still soliciting support for them.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com