Chief of Staff assures savannah flood victims of govt support

As the people of the Savannah Region grapple with the aftermath of devastating floods that have displaced thousands and submerged properties, the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, has extended the government’s assurance of support and intervention to safeguard the lives and properties of flood victims.

This commitment was reinforced during a visit by a government delegation led by Madam Osei-Opare to flood-affected areas in the Central Gonja District yesterday.

 The purpose of the visit was to inspect the distribution of essential relief items to the flood victims.

The relief items, including toiletries, bags of rice and sugar, medications, plastic buckets with bowls, mattresses and mats, canned foods, and drinking water, among other essentials, were intended to provide much-needed assistance to those adversely affected by the rising floodwaters.

Addressing the flood victims during the distribution of relief items, Madam Osei-Opare emphasized that the government remains steadfast in its efforts to mitigate the impact of the floods on residents.

She conveyed the government’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of the affected communities.

“I want to assure all of you that we are not relenting in any of our efforts. Your safety is our first priority,” she stated.

Madam Osei-Opare drew a parallel with the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the government’s competence in restoring the economy but underlining the inherent inability to restore lives lost.

She urged the affected individuals to collaborate with government and adhere to directives to ensure their safety.

Furthermore, she emphasized that all humanitarian efforts were being intensified to provide comfort to the flood victims while working towards the full restoration of their livelihoods and properties.

Accompanying the Chief of Staff during the inspection were key government officials, including the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for the Area, Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako-Attah, Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye, Deputy Minister for Energy, Herbert Krappa, and heads of key sector agencies.

Mr. Jinapor expressed his belief in the Akufo-Addo led administration’s ability to provide for the basic needs of the flood victims during these trying times.

He assured the residents that the government would spare no effort in ensuring access to clean drinking water, food, and proper sanitation.

Providing an update on the flood situation in the region, Saeed Muhazu Jibril, the Regional Minister revealed that the Central Gonja District, with Buipe as its capital, had been the worst-hit.

He reported that 5,365 people had been displaced, with numerous structures, including houses, schools, and health facilities, submerged.

In the East Gonja Municipality, the flood affected the capital town, Salaga, and its surrounding communities, including Makango, Kitoe, and Kafaba.

In total, 1,902 victims, 421 houses, and 99 acres of farmland were affected by the overflow of the Black Volta.

The West Gonja Municipality, particularly the Busunu community, suffered severe damage, with nearly half of the houses submerged in water.

The victims included women and children, and properties worth thousands of Ghana Cedis were destroyed.

The Regional Minister expressed gratitude to the government for its prompt response to the flood victims’ needs, a gesture reminiscent of the government’s assistance to flood victims downstream of the Akosombo Dam affected by controlled spillage.

He emphasized that government intervention had come at a crucial time for those affected by the floods.