The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has established an educational support fund with seed money of GH¢200,000 to provide financial assistance to all students within the affected communities by the flood occasioned by Akosombo dam and Kpong dams’ spillage.

According to the University Teachers Association of Ghana National President, Professor Mamudu A. Akudugu, the educational support fund established would provide financial form of assistance to students from the flood-affected communities attending any of the 15 member institutions of the University Teachers Association of Ghana.

Speaking at the launch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana report on a rapid assessment of the aftermath of the flood within some eight districts hugely affected by the dam spillage, Professor Akudugu highlighted the inadequacy of emergency responses from various entities, including the government to the affected communities and residents of the flood.

The University Teachers Association of Ghana thus stressed the immediate need for the government and all stakeholders to take the necessary steps to provide educational support and other essential support to the victims of the Akosombo and Kpong dams’ spillage flood.

UTAG Expresses Concerns Over Items Donated To Flood Victims

Again, the National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, Professor Mamudu A. Akudugu expressed deep concerns and worry about the quality and quantity of food and other items donated to the flood victims of the Akosombo and Kpong dams’ spillage.

Professor Akudugu called for the need for the various food items to be enriched with all the necessary food nutrients to avert any possible health danger to the flood victims.

“Food donated by NGOs, women’s organizations, and NADMO were also being distributed to the flood victims but what we observed was that the food was inadequate in both quality and quantity. The kinds of foods that were provided were cereal-based. It was either rice or corn or flour and some canned fish. But that is not enough to meet their nutritional needs. We normally recommend that they try to eat a diverse diet. So imagine that when we interviewed several people, they indicated that they only have access to cereal but not protein.
Professor Mamudu A. Akudugu

Again, the National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, Professor Akudugu urged various stakeholders donating relief items particularly food items to be considerate about the items they donate, as it could have negative impacts on the growth of children in the various flood-affected communities.

He thus advised all stakeholders to provide more protein-based food items to the victims of the flood occasioned by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams’ to meet the nutritional needs of victims, particularly children.

“So they indicated that they have less access to animal and plant protein. So imagine if children lack this in their food. It means they will not get the proper nutrients for their brain development and growth. So this calls for the need for those who make food donations to always try as much as possible to make it diverse. Don’t just think of giving them rice and canned foods because it is easy to carry”.
Professor Mamudu A. Akudugu

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Pru East, Dr. Kwabena Donkor has accused Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta of ignoring the Northern and North East regions in listing areas affected by recent flooding occasioned by the Akosombo, Kpong and Bagre Dams spillages and heavy rains.

Dr. Donkor called for the need for the government to provide such form of assistance to victims in these regions stressing that victims in such regions also deserve government support and assistance as they are also citizens of Ghana.

The former Power Minister however described the government budgetary allocation of GHS 220 million as announced by the Finance Minister as insufficient as it did not capture compensation and resettlement plans for the flood victims.