President Nana Akufo-Addo stated on Monday, October 16th, while meeting with chiefs and impacted victims of the dam disaster in Mepe in the Volta region, that he would not have been there if it was about voting.
He noted that he needed to be there despite the fact that the inhabitants do not vote for the NPP in elections.
Flooding from the Akosombo and Kpong dams devastated seven districts.
The communities affected included north, south, and central Tongu districts in the Volta region.
The affected victims were forced to leave, leaving them with no alternative but to try to rescue what was left of their belongings.
The President, along with other appointees, visited affected areas and assured them that the government will do its best to resolve the situation.
“My visit here is a very simple one. It is to come and sympathise and commiserate with you about the tragedy that has occurred. When it happened, I was in America on an official business and the Chief of Staff called me in America about what had happened and we discussed what had to be done.
“We agreed to establish an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate government response to the tragedy…,” he said.
He added that nine safe havens have been established in Mepe for the displaced to ensure their safety, adding that all the victims in the shelters have been provided relief items by NADMO.
“It is NADMO’s intention to continue the exercise of providing relief items.”
Concerning the ruined farmlands, President Akufo-Addo stated that the Ministries of Finance, Food, and Agriculture will collaborate with his office to devise a comprehensive solution to the problem.
He claims that, despite not receiving enough votes from the region, he is present to sympathise with them as the country’s leader.
“When these things happen and government acts, politics does not come into the matter at all. When I took the oath of office as president, I took the oath as president for every single individual in Ghana, all people in Ghana, all districts and whether they voted for me or not, once I have taken the oath, I am the President of all the people so Togbe, I want the people here, beginning with you, and the elders to understand that when something like this happens and Government acts, Government is acting for Ghanaians, all Ghanaians.
“I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and are suffering, and it is my responsibility to try and help. Because, if it is a question of counting who votes for me and who doesn’t vote for me, then I shouldn’t be here, because you don’t vote for me. But that is not my concern. And, in any event, one day you will vote for me and my party.
“So Togbe, I came here this afternoon to express my sympathy with all the people of Mepe and the areas affected,” he stressed.
By: Rashid Obodai Provencal/Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana