The Paediatric Society of Ghana has expressed deep concern over the recent flooding in communities along the lower Volta River basin, a direct consequence of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
President of the Society, Dr. Hilda Mantea Boye, highlighted the looming threat of children missing their vital immunizations, potentially leading to an upsurge in serious diseases.
“The Paediatric Society of Ghana notes with concern the flooding that has occurred in the communities along the lower Volta River basin as a result of the spillage of the Akosombo Dam. There have been disturbing videos and images of the devastating effects these floods have caused with its resultant loss of properties, income, disruption of schooling for children and access to healthcare services.
“There is also a risk of this causing children to miss their immunization and a potential for an increase in diarrheal diseases, pneumonia and malaria. These are all serious illnesses which lead to mortality in children.”
Paediatric Society of Ghana
Furthermore, the Paediatric Society of Ghana extended its heartfelt sympathy to all the affected families and communities grappling with the aftermath of the Akosombo Dam Spillage.
It revealed that its members are actively collaborating with medical teams to provide essential healthcare services to affected children in these stricken communities.
Additionally, the Society joined calls for support made by the Ghana Medical Association and other organizations engaged in relief efforts. To this end, it urged corporate entities and development partners to contribute to and support the ongoing relief endeavours.
Calls for impacted residents to be relocated to Saglemi
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Agency (GREDA), Frank Aboagye Danyansah, has suggested the government relocates victims of the Akosombo Dam flood to the Saglemi Housing project in the Ningo Prampram district.
He indicated that it will be a good decision if government relocates affected communities considering the number of people the place can accommodate.
“They can be sent to Saglemi and any other affordable housing around Kpone-Katamanso. And let’s see how helpful that will be. These buildings are at Saglemi. From Akosombo to Saglemi is a little far, but not that long of a distance. If we decide to move them, the number of people we can take to Saglemi would be really helpful.”
Frank Aboagye Danyansah
Moreover, Mr. Danyansah expressed confidence that the chiefs of the affected areas will agree if this idea is suggested to them.
He explained that when the people are relocated there and for a long period, they become comfortable at Saglemi, “the place can even be offered to them permanently because it’s the country’s property”.
Nonetheless, he emphasized that the lasting solution to the flooding is re-engineering of the dam to channel the water into different canals.
The impact of the Akosombo Dam Spillage has led to devastating flooding in about 11 communities in the lower part of the Volta region, with distressing videos and images depicting the widespread loss of property.
Moreover, the spillage has recorded disruptions to people’s income, source of livelihood, children’s education, and limited access to healthcare services.
READ ALSO: GAMLS Urges Health Ministry To Conduct Water Quality Assessments
