The Assemblies of God Church has donated GHS 20,000 and other essential items to residents affected by the spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
The Church believes their donation will help alleviate the plights of the victims.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Tuesday, October 17, the General Overseer of the Assemblies of God Church, Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam called on the public to run to the rescue of the residents in the disaster.
“The sad reality is that government and government agencies alone cannot shoulder the huge burden of bringing relief and hope to the people due to the untold disaster. This is the time therefore for Ghanaians of all social backgrounds, financial standings, political affiliations, and extractions to rally to the aid of the suffering fathers, mothers, and children.
“Corporate Ghana and other benevolent bodies must also identify themselves with humanitarian efforts while counselors and psychologist also do their best.”
Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam
The church also called for the government to declare a state of emergency in the affected areas.
“The Assemblies of God Ghana fully backs calls for the declaration of a state of emergency in the flood-affected areas. This will help the necessary humanitarian measures being undertaken to bring the depressing situation under control.”
Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam
The General Superintendent recounted the events that led to the flooding and its impact.
“You are addressing a flooding disaster on an epic scale and devastating consequences in parts of the Volta, eastern, and greater Accra region, as a result of the spillage of huge volumes of water from the Akosmbo dam and Kpong dams.
“Reports recount that entire communities have been submerged in flood waters 1000s of people including children have been displaced and properties worth millions of Ghana cedis washed. To make the desperate humanitarian situation worse, public cemeteries, mortuaries, and toilets have also been submerged in the floods, thus polluting sources of drinking water and igniting public health emergency concerns. This catastrophe of unprecedented proportions calls for a response of unparalleled urgency.”
Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam
He further praised public offers and state institutions for their visitations and support to the affected areas to express their sympathy to the victims.
“His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and other political leaders have shown leadership by touring parts of the badly affected sites. NADMO and the Ghana Armed Forces have also been doing everything within their capacity to help contain the situation.”
Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam
“We commend them most profoundly”, he added.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam also gave significant approbation to the media for their risky ventures in bringing the Ghanaian population and international community up to speed on the incident.
Meanwhile, many corporate bodies, public officers, media houses, churches, civil societies non-profit organizations, and individuals have gone to the aid of the victims.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has backed calls for a state of emergency to be declared in the areas in the Volta Region that have been affected by the floods caused by the dams spillage.
GNAT said the state of emergency would ensure public safety.
“We equally back the calls for a state of emergency to be declared in the affected areas, since the circumstances under which a state of emergency could be declared, whether natural or manmade disasters, is being experienced currently which is not only threatening the very existence of the people but also depriving the communities of essentials of life.
The declaration of the emergency would secure public safety, maintenance of public order, and generate the supply of essential goods and services required by the communities.”
GNAT
GNAT has asked teachers in the teachers in the region to remain steadfast and calm and assured them of its utmost assistance to enable them to carry out their duties when the storm is over.
