Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, has criticized President Akufo-Addo’s recent visit to victims of the Akosombo Dam-induced floods at Mepe in the Volta Region.
The President had claimed that his visit was due to a constitutional obligation, as the people in the area do not vote for the New Patriotic Party, and therefore his visit was not motivated by garnering votes.
Ablakwa, speaking on JoyNews on Valentine’s Day, emphasized that the government should fulfill its obligations to the victims, and that the President’s presence to commiserate with them should not be determined solely by electoral considerations, especially in areas where he may not have received significant votes.
He called on the President to prioritize national interests and provide support and assistance to all communities affected by natural disasters like floods, regardless of political affiliations. Ablakwa also noted that while some efforts have been made, there are still many residents living in tents and highlighted the urgent need for further assistance and support from the authorities.
Ablakwa further urged that about 2,500 people who are currently living in tents should be resettled, and that political affiliations should not be a criterion for providing aid.
The call for the President to prioritize national interests and provide support to all affected communities, irrespective of political affiliations, is pertinent and deserves the attention of the government. This highlights the need for political leaders to prioritize the welfare of citizens over partisan considerations, especially in times of crisis.
