MDA Takes On Sanitation Minister Over Dam Spillage Comment

An Association in Mepe, one of the worst hit communities by the Akosombo and Kpong Dams spillage, has chastised the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Freda Prempeh for laying blame on residents for the ravages the spillages has caused.

In a statement, the Mepe Development Association (MDA) characterized the Minister’s comment as an “ill-informed and uneducated”.

“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,” a part of their statement said and then urged state appointees and communicators to refrain from such comments.

The Minister’s Comment
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, the Minister said noncompliance on the part of the residents caused the flooding that has destroyed properties worth billions of cedis.

According to her, the resident refused to heed appeals to evacuate to make way for the spillage exercise which began on September 15, 2023.

Addressing the media, she said, “We don’t want what has happened in Akosombo to happen to us in Accra. The Akosombo spillage, even though VRA, NADMO, and the Water Resource Commission came together to educate the people in the community, did a simulation exercise at Mepe, yet they refused to leave, they didn’t want to be evacuated, they stayed there till the end when we started spilling.

“Unfortunately, look at what is happening, the government has to spend millions of money on relief items, the whole area the water is contaminated, and Ghana Water Company and Water Resources Commission will have to spend millions of money to treat the water before we can pass it through our pipes. So a stitch in time saves nine, but sometimes it is difficult to accept the situation. We cannot continue to sit down and allow these things to happen.”

MDA Response
The Minister has since come under fire and endured public backlash following the comments and the latest reaction comes from the MDA.

In a statement, it questioned the intensity and frequency of the “so-called” simulation exercise she claimed the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) conducted in the affected areas.

“We wish to make it clear 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. 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.”

On the statement that the residents refused to evacuate the earmarked area, the Association asked, “Evacuate to where? 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 flood 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.”

According to the association, the displaced are exposed to reptiles, and mosquitos and are deprived of basic amenities like toilet facilities and potable drinking water and yet have not received any intervention from the Minister.

“We also question how many 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. The MDA calls on the 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.”