President of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, has expressed disappointment with the devastation of some hotels in the Volta region, owing to the Akosombo dam spillage.
According to him, the impact of the spillage has rendered roads leading to some of the hotels in the region inaccessible. He revealed that at this point, hotel operators can only hope for the best under the circumstance.
“As we speak, we can only hope and pray that the water first of all recedes, as fast as possible, and also that the needed relief in creating motorable access to some of these facilities will come quickly enough to ensure access in the first place for guests to be able to lodge in there. So, it’s a terrible situation…”
Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr
Furthermore, Mr Ackah-Nyamike noted that following the devastation, he made efforts to find out whether these hotels were insured. Describing it as a “massive headache,” he explained that at the moment, this could potentially help hotel operators in recouping losses.
“… With the situation in these two regions now and other areas, people are glued to the media on how possible it will be to access some of these places. I’m glad you mentioned the issues about insurance because I asked for some briefing on that, but I’m yet to get positive feedback on that. Probably, it may be the wrong timing because when disaster strikes like that and you’re now thinking about insurance, that’s a major challenge.”
Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr
Mr Ackah-Nyamike emphasized that the impact of the spillage should serve as a wakeup call to hoteliers to consider some of the issues when it comes to insurance.
“I’m just praying and hoping that some of them are covered by insurance so that at least, some of the things they will lose in the process can be compensated through insurance.”
Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr
One Volta Group makes recommendation on flooding situation
Meanwhile, the One Volta Group (OVG) has called on government to expedite relief efforts in affected communities.
The group noted that it is concerned about the disaster wrecked on these communities such as sleep deprivation of the people affected with consequent mental health issues, closure of educational and medical facilities, massive loss of farmlands, among others.
Additionally, the group stated that it is also concerned about the present and future health effects on these communities, as such, the “Nana Akuffo led government” must do the needful and consider some key suggestions to help assuage the impact of the flooding.
Among others, OVG called for immediate resettlement of the people with full cost borne by government. It equally expressed the need for a “high-level” committee which includes the indigenes to deliberate on those who were negligent to subsequently face disciplinary actions.
“Have a listing of all individuals affected by the disaster for compensation. This list and compensation should be audited and results be released. Marshall the forces of the military field engineers’ regiment for short term and long-term solution.”
One Volta Group
Furthermore, One Volta Group called on the security forces, traditional authorities and district assembly members to harness resources to prevent unscrupulous people who may want to take advantage of the situations and extort the communities who are inundated with water.
Also, it highlighted the need to use helicopters for surveillance and mapping areas of the communities affected for current solutions and future prevention programs.
“It is incumbent to develop a total framework by professionals and not political hatchet men to deal with explaining and execution of disasters.”
One Volta Group
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