Editorial
Let’s all support victims of Akosombo and Kpong floods
The recent spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams resulted in the displacement of thousands of people living along the lower Volta River basin, making life extremely difficult for the victims.
According to reports, over 26,000 residents have been impacted, and more than 8,000 have been rescued.
In roughly nine different district assemblies in the Volta and Eastern Regions, including the North, Central, and South Tongu District assembly, Shai Osudoku, and Ada, among others, the spillage has forced the relocation of various settlements.
Homes have been submerged because of the spillage, leaving the residents homeless. Businesses like fishing have also been impacted.
People have also suffered physical harm. Schools have been closed indefinitely. Houses have collapsed, and property worth millions of Cedis has been destroyed.
The evacuated victims are now being housed in shelters and schools, while some are staying with friends and relatives.
The situation is critical, and immediate action is required to improve it and help the afflicted residents.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) claims that the spillage began as a result of a steady upstream rise in water levels brought on by prolonged rains, and that the measure was taken to safeguard the dam and avert potential calamities.
According to VRA, the goal is to preserve the dam’s integrity when the water input is excessive. Unfortunately, the spillage’s repercussions are a regrettable situation, but they are necessary to save the dam.
The Spectator is urging individuals, corporate entities, and religious organisations, among others, to ease the suffering of the affected residents by providing them with comforting supplies such as food, water, mattresses, toiletries, detergents, sanitary towels, medical supplies, blankets, and mosquito nets while they recover from their shock.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) appears to be overburdened with the number of victims; as a result, despite the intervention, it lacks the resources to adequately carry out its purpose.
The numbers are overwhelming and as a result, everyone must come on board as soon as possible to aid the victims out of their affliction.
There are reports that more neighbourhoods will be impacted because the spillage is still ongoing and VRA is unsure of when the water will start to recede,
The Spectator applauds the government representatives and other individuals who have visited the victims to express their sympathies and provide them with help in various ways, but more has to be done to support their efforts.
Additionally, we beg pharmaceutical firms and medical professionals to step up their efforts immediately to help prevent the outbreak of cholera and other water-borne illnesses.
Because of the crowding and sanitation issues, nearby healthcare facilities must also be prepared in case a disease outbreak occurs.
In the future, the flooding catastrophe should serve as a reminder for the government to fully fund NADMO and make investments in early warning systems to avoid similar regrettable circumstances.
The government must also take the necessary steps to prepare for future compensation for the affected residents.
Let us all make a concerted effort to support victims of the Akosombo and Kpong floods.
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
Dear Editor,
I wish to express concern over the allegations that some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanded money from players before they are selected for national teams.
If these allegations are true, then, they threaten fairness and integrity in Ghana football.
Just as is done in other countries, selection into any national team should be based solely on merit -talent, discipline, hard work and performance, not on a player’s ability to pay money.
Such practices, if allowed to continue, will discourage many talented but less privileged players from pursuing their dreams. It will also damage the reputation of the GFA and reduce public confidence in the country’s football administration.
Those reports are quite unfortunate but some of us want to believe in the response issued by the FA but would also advise the GFA to conduct some investigation, because like it is often said, there is no smoke without fire.
If it means an individual is going about making such demands on the blind side of the FA, such an investigation can expose the person.
I therefore urge the GFA to investigate these allegations thoroughly and transparently. Any official found guilty should face the appropriate sanctions. At the same time, individuals making the allegations should provide credible evidence so the truth can be established.
Ghanaian football belongs to all of us, and we must protect its integrity by ensuring that merit, transparency and accountability guide player selection.
From John Boateng,
Mamprobi
