In the aftermath of the devastating floods in the Volta Region and parts of Bono East, concerns about the government’s handling of the crisis are intensifying.
Madam Beatrice Annan, the Deputy spokesperson of the John Mahama campaign, has voiced her apprehensions, highlighting the perceived inadequacies in the government’s response to the “manmade” disaster that has affected over 30,000 people.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the people of Bono East, Madam Annan acknowledged the consistent support from former First Lady Lordina Mahama, who has been actively involved in providing aid during such calamities.
She emphasized the positive impact of individual efforts and questioned the government’s preparedness despite the formation of an inter-ministerial committee.
“I have followed media houses, and I have followed the donations by President Mahama, the First Lady, and other members of the National Democratic Congress, and the collective efforts of various individuals, and corporate entities.
“[But] Government preparedness despite forming the inter-ministerial committee, despite all the resources that could not be compared to the efforts of individuals, remains questionable. I am beginning to think that truly and really, there is something wrong; that we are in the sixth week since it happened.”
Beatrice Annan
As the situation continues to unfolded even though the floods have receded, Madam Annan expressed growing skepticism about the government’s effectiveness. She further lamented the lack of significant progress and the government’s failure to communicate a comprehensive plan for addressing the challenges faced by the affected communities.
“I remember I spoke about this a month ago. Government communicators told us that the committee that had been formed, should look out for government preparedness. Government persons said that the government has a pre-implementation plan with three phases and on that very day the committee was going to hold a press conference to tell Ghanaians what the plans were.”
Beatrice Annan
Hopelessness In Affected Areas
Criticism was also directed at the Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who, according to Madam Annan, presented “blatant falsehoods” in Parliament on the situation. She emphasized the importance of sensitive communication in times of crisis and criticized the minister for not personally visiting the affected communities until summoned by Parliament.
”When people are in crisis, when people have lost their livelihood, their dignity, and everything a human being could ever lose, what you do is that you engage in sensitive communication, not lies and blatant falsehood just so that everybody thinks that it is well. As minister of energy, when this incident happened, he never went to the affected people.
“It was only after parliament invited him to come and speak that he went to make a U-turn there. So what are you telling me?”
Beatrice Annan
Madam Annan urged the government to recognize the gravity of the situation, emphasizing, “The government must see that the way they are going poses a danger to the stability of our country.” She highlighted the urgent need for compensation packages for the affected individuals, many of whom have lost their farms worth millions of cedis, and criticized the government’s silence on resettlement plans.
Expressing disillusionment with the lack of government intervention, Madam Annan speculated, “I sometimes think all these are happening because the president has already said that he has checked out.” She highlighted the sense of hopelessness felt by the people in the affected regions, including Volta, Bono East, and parts of Eastern, and called on individuals, corporate entities, and media houses to continue their efforts in assisting those affected.
Madam Beatrice Annan’s critique sheds light on the urgent need for an improved and more coordinated government response to the ongoing crisis. As victims wait for relief and assistance, the spotlight remains on the government’s ability to address the aftermath of the floods and provide meaningful support to those affected.
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