Government has given GH₵50,000.00 cash as initial support to families who were affected by the recent torrential rains in the Upper East Region to enable them put their lives back in shape.
In addition to the cash, government has procured some relief items including rice, blankets, cooking oil, mosquito nets and coil, soap, plastic buckets, basins, mats, mattresses, roofing sheets, maize and water purification tablets among others to be given to the victims.
The Vice President Dr Alhaji Mahammudu Bawumia made the donation at Manyoro in the Kassena-Nankana Municipal of the Upper East Region where he empathised with the chiefs and people of communities that were affected by the October floods.
From October 1 to 12, 2019, the Upper East Region experienced heavy rainfalls leading to destruction of properties and loss of lives in some communities either through drowning or collapsed buildings and lighting.
According to the Vice President “the reconciled numbers as we have it this morning shows that the direct impact of the rains which have resulted in the loss of 19 lives had been confirmed dead and 19 others injured as result of the recent rains”.
“So we are here today to extend on behalf of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the government and the people of Ghana our deepest condolences to the affected families for the loss of lives and property that they have suffered as a result of this rainfall.”
Dr Bawumia explained government was concerned about the tragedy and that the support was to enable the flood victims to deal with the immediate needs as a result of the rains as they continue to assess the situation and would intervene as required.
He said one death was too many and reiterated government’s commitment to resolve the issue of perennial flooding especially in the northern part of the country and added that was the reason government was keen on constructing the Pwalugu multipurpose dam in the Talensi District.
The Vice President however tasked the various Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to assist families with either cement or good materials as well as provide technical support to enable people build structures that would withstand the pressure that was usually associated with the rains.
The Minister of Aviation and Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, Mr Kofi Adda, also supported the flood victims with an amount of GH₵5,000.00.
The Chief of Manyoro, Pe Dr Peter Atudiwe Atudipaar ePwakweah Manchi III, expressed gratitude to government for the support being offered to his jurisdiction and said it would go a long way to assist them with immediate needs.
The chief, who is also a Law Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, however, appealed to government and other organisations to assist the affected families or communities to rebuild their homes in order to find shelter.
SAMUEL AKAPULE, MANYORO
