The North East Region of Ghana has experienced devastating flooding, leaving more than 1,000 houses submerged in water and over 6,000 people displaced following a 12-hour downpour that struck last Wednesday. The deluge also caused the collapse of a crucial bridge connecting the East Mamprusi Municipality and the West Mamprusi Municipality, stranding travelers at Tinguri-Gbane.
Mr. Alhassan John Kwaku, the North East Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), revealed these distressing statistics during a recent tour of the affected area by Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the Member of Parliament for the Walewale Constituency and the Minister of Children, Gender, and Social Protection, along with officials from the Ghana Highway Authority.
As a result of this catastrophe, many affected residents have been forced to seek shelter with friends and family, while others have taken refuge in local school buildings and churches. Mr. Kwaku cautioned that these numbers are still being assessed and could be higher.
However, he assured that all affected victims would receive assistance, even as they work to contact individuals who may be overseas and impacted by the disaster.
Meanwhile, Mr. Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh, the Director General of NADMO, took proactive steps by presenting relief items to the North East Regional Minister, Mr. Yidana Zakaria, the Member of Parliament for the West Mamprusi Constituency, Hajia Zuweira Lariba Abudu, and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly, Mr. Aremeyaw Somo Lucky. These relief items included bags of rice, rubber buckets, plastic cups, plates, boxes of Maggi spices, boxes of salt, cooking oil, boxes of mackerel, and bales of used clothing.
Mr. Agyeman-Prempeh explained that this gesture was part of the efforts made by the Ghana Air Force to provide emergency aid to the flood victims, with more items slated for delivery through government and benevolent organizations. He emphasized the President’s immediate concern and his directive to mobilize aid for those affected by the disaster.
Although some natural disasters are unavoidable, Mr. Agyeman-Prempeh pointed out that certain preventative measures could be taken. The North East Region is known for its vulnerability to floods, often due to the construction of buildings in waterways and wetland areas. He urged residents to refrain from building in these areas to avert future disasters.
Mr. Agyeman-Prempeh further called for cooperation between the North East Regional Coordinating Council and NADMO officials to ensure the smooth distribution of relief items to the victims.
In conclusion, he commended Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the MP for Walewale Constituency, for promptly reporting the disaster to the President, which prompted his rapid intervention.
The North East Regional Minister, Mr. Yidana Zakaria, expressed gratitude for NADMO’s swift response and urged for continued support. He called on NGOs, philanthropists, civil service organizations, and both natives and indigenes of the region to come to the aid of the flood victims in this trying time.
theindependentghana.com