The Mepe Development Association (MDA) has demanded apology from the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Freda Prempeh, over comments made against residents on their failure to relocate from flooded location on time.

According to the association, Mepe is the epicenter of the VRA-induced flood disaster where thousands of people are still reeling from the devastating losses and pain endured.

It revealed that the Mepe Traditional Council, Mepe Development Association, opinion leaders, and all key stakeholders were not engaged in any simulation exercise or post-simulation exercise as claimed by the Minister.

Furthermore, the MDA stated that how such an important exercise could escape the eyes and ears of these key stakeholders in the community leaves one to wonder whether the monies expended on the simulation should not be refunded to the state coffers.

“The Mepe Development Association (MDA) strongly condemns the comments made by the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Freda Prempeh, in which she blames the indigenes of Mepe and other downstream communities along the Volta River for not heeding warnings to evacuate before the Akosombo Dam spillage…
“The MDA calls on the minister to, unreservedly and immediately, apologize to the Chiefs and people of Mepe for her misspoke and unfortunate comments.”
Mepe Development Association

Contained in a statement dated today, October 24, 2023, signed by Chairman of the MDA, Kojo Mawulenu Fabian, it called on the sanitation minister to tell the nation which parts of the Mepe traditional area the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) conducted the simulation exercise prior to the spillage.

Additionally, the association questioned the number of people from Mepe who were included in the said simulation exercise and the number of times the simulation exercise was conducted, as well as the extent of community engagement.

Government cautioned to exercise restraints in comments

Condemning the statement by the sanitation minister when she mentioned that the people of Mepe refused to evacuate before the spillage, the MDA insisted that there were no official temporary shelter facilities provided by the state for the people in the event of an evacuation.

“It was the leadership of the MDA, in consultation with the Chiefs, that took the initiative to create seven makeshift safe havens for the affected victims in the following locations: Mepe R.C. Primary, R.C JHS, Mepe Presby Primary, Presby JHS, D.A JHS, Holy Christ, and St. Kizito Secondary Technical School. Out of these seven safe havens, only St. Kizito, which currently houses 1,320 displaced persons, received six mobile toilets just this past Friday, provided by the VRA after persistent appeals.”
Mepe Development Association

Questioning the sanitation minister’s role by way of support since the devastation occurred, the MDA revealed that among others, some 1,000 displaced Ghanaian citizens are now relying on just six mobile toilets at St. Kizito.

It further quizzed the number of litter bins, mosquito nets, and access to clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has provided the people of Mepe since the man-made flood disaster.

To this end, the MDA called on the sanitation minister to inform the nation about her ministry’s response to the looming health crisis in the affected communities, the contamination of water sources, and the unsanitary conditions created by the flood.

“It is time for real action, Madam Minister. Show up. As a community, we have had enough of misinformation and disinformation from official sources since the flood disaster occurred. We are still grieving and emotionally distraught. All we request is respect for our sensitivity and dignity during these challenging times in our history.”
Mepe Development Association

Moreover, the MDA urged all state appointees and communicators to refrain from making “ill-informed and uneducated comments” that blame the flood victims for the “state-created” disaster.

It emphasized that the state must acknowledge its role and take responsibility for the mess it has created, showing remorse and empathy toward the affected communities.