Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has taken steps to address the housing needs of constituents who were displaced by the Akosombo dam spillage.
The initiative, known as the “Safe Alternative Housing Project,” is being carried out by the First Sky Group, a prominent Ghanaian conglomerate, and is expected to benefit around 300 victims.
His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the iconic National Chief Imam and Grand Mufti of the Republic of Ghana was the first to donate an amount of GHS70,000.00 towards our North Tongu MP & Partners Safe Alternative Housing Initiative for VRA spillage victims.
At that… pic.twitter.com/dPgOvkXUqk
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 11, 2024
This move comes in response to the water spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams, which commenced in September 2023 due to a consistent rise in inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo reservoir. The overflow of the Volta River led to massive flooding and displacement of settlements in about nine different district assemblies in the Volta and Eastern regions.
The flooding submerged communities and displaced close to 15,000 people in the Volta, Eastern, and Greater Accra Regions. As a result, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, along with the First Sky Group, initiated a housing project to relocate about 12,000 affected North Tongu constituents.
All is set for today’s commissioning by H.E. John Mahama of the North Tongu MP & Partners Safe Alternative Housing Project which will house another 300 VRA spillage victims.
Glory be to God and our amazing partners for what we have achieved after 7 weeks of construction.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 10, 2024
According to Mr. Ablakwa, this relocation will begin to restore the dignity of the people of North Tongu and ensure they live in much healthier conditions. Additionally, the housing project will free up the 21 schools that are currently being used as safe havens, allowing the children to return to school.
In addition to the provision of land for the project, the people of North Tongu have also expressed readiness to provide communal labor support.
Former President John Dramani Mahama is expected to inaugurate the housing project, further emphasizing the importance of this initiative in addressing the humanitarian needs of those affected by the dam spillage.
