ECOWAS Approves $200k For Akosombo Dam Spillage Victims

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved an amount of US$200,000 in support of victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage exercise.

The approval follows a request forwarded by the government of Ghana.

In response to the request on December 13, the bloc communicated its readiness to provide assistance noting that humanitarian impact on the affected population met ECOWAS core criteria for humanitarian assistance.

“The President of the ECOWAS Commission notes with concern the magnitude of the disaster as evidenced in the report you attached which shows that almost 36, 000, persons were affected. In view of the huge humanitarian impact on the affected population, which forms part of ECOWAS core criteria for humanitarian assistance, the Commission has approved the sum of Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($200,000 USD) to support the resilience building and recovery of the affected population.”

In reaction to the letter, the Member of Parliament for North Tong constituency whose jurisdiction was affected by the disaster, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, asserted that the government is “concealing” its application for support from the ECOWAS.

“When Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta presented the 2024 Budget on November 15, 2023 — he only disclosed the government’s applications to the World Bank and the Global Shield Against Climate Risk Fund. This is despite having applied to the ECOWAS Commission some two weeks prior to the budget presentation in Parliament as the intercepted documents from ECOWAS reveal,” he said in a Facebook post.

Disaster
The disaster emanated from a spillage exercise by the Volta River Authority (VRA) which began on September 15 and a few days later, rendered parts of the Volta Region, Greater Accra Region and Eastern Region inundated.

It was reported that South Tongu, Central Tongu, North Tongu, Shai Osudoku, Anlo, Ada East and Asuogyaman districts were the hardest hit.

The situation has led to the displacement of over 26,000 residents, destruction of properties, loss of livelihoods and disruption of healthcare, education and other critical services in these areas.