The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region has expressed its disappointment and concern over what it considers a deliberate neglect by President Akufo-Addo to address the dire plights of victims affected by the flood occasioned by the Akosombo dam spillage during his State of the Nation’s Address.
The party, in a statement released by its Regional Communications Officer, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze, expressed disappointment, describing the President’s address as the most disappointing for the people in the Volta Region who were eagerly anticipating updates on the government’s plans towards alleviating the predicaments of the individuals who were severely affected by the flood following the spillage of the Akosombo dam last year.
According to Mr Agbleze, the victims of the flood were desperately expecting to hear something about the disbursement of the GHS220 million allocated in the 2024 Budget and the state of the funds from the World Bank under the International Development Association (IDA) Crisis Response Window.
“On Tuesday, February 26, 2024, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in fulfillment of his obligation as stipulated by Article 67 of Ghana’s Constitution, presented his penultimate State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) to Parliament.
“The address was the most disappointing for the people in the Volta Region who were glued to their radio and TV sets in serious anticipation of relieving update on the several promises earlier made toward alleviating their predicaments following the disaster”.
Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze
Mr. Agbleze further recounted that it was the hope of the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region and all concerned citizens in the Region that such funds would be made available by the government as soon as possible to support the resettlement of the victims, restoration of livelihoods, compensations and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected communities.
Furthermore, the Regional Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress expressed the party’s disappointment about the failure of the President to acknowledge or offer solutions to alleviate the suffering of fellow citizens.
He noted that the absence of any mention of relief efforts or plans to mitigate the effects of the disaster in the 31-page State of the Nation Address by the President, in the view of the party in the region, is a glaring oversight that reflects a deliberate lack of empathy and commitment to the well-being of the affected citizens by the current administration.
The Keta Fishing Landing Project
Moreover, the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region expressed displeasure at what it described as the President’s mention of a non-existent project, the Keta Fish Landing Site as one of his government achievements in the region.
The National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region in its statement strongly asserted that there is no such project in Keta or any other place in the Volta Region and further admonished the President to insulate himself from being misled by conducting due diligence in obtaining accurate information on crucial matters.
In the strongest request, the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region urged President Akufo-Addo to immediately initiate plans and put measures in place to address the plight of the various individuals who were affected by the flood occasioned by the Akosombo dam spillage as well as those affected by the tidal waves in the region.
The party specifically called on President Akufo-Addo to take immediate action to provide relief aid, rehabilitate affected communities, and implement sustainable measures to prevent future occurrences.
“In fulfilling the constitutional obligation to address the nation, it is imperative that the President demonstrate leadership by acknowledging and responding to the pressing concerns of all citizens, irrespective of tribe, location or voting pattern”.
Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze
In concluding its statement, the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region reiterated its commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of the people and pledged to continue holding the government accountable for its actions and inactions
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