President Mahama exchanging pleasantries with residents
President John Dramani Mahama has presented relief items to victims of the recent floods in Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.
The President made the donation when he visited Hohoe Zongo and other affected communities to assess the extent of the damage, sympathise with residents and support ongoing relief efforts.
Preliminary figures from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) indicate that 5,140 people have been displaced, while 412 houses have been affected across the disaster-hit communities.
The flooding followed persistent heavy rainfall which caused the River Dayi to overflow into low-lying communities in the Hohoe Municipality. Areas affected include Bla, Galikorpe, Hohoe Zongo Nima, Martvin Down, Segbedenu, Water Works Down, Kpoeta, Atabu, Kledzo and Panic Site.
President Mahama said the purpose of his visit was primarily to sympathise with affected residents and traditional authorities while providing immediate assistance to households impacted by the floods. “We came here today to sympathise with Togbuiga Gabusu, the chiefs and the people who have been affected, and we also brought few items to donate,” he said.
He assured the affected residents that the government would continue to mobilise support as recovery efforts progressed. He also commended traditional leaders, the Hohoe Municipal Assembly, NADMO, government institutions and other individuals and organisations for their interventions since the disaster occurred.
The President disclosed that businessman Ibrahim Mahama, owner of Dzata Cement, had pledged 5,000 bags of cement to assist residents whose houses were destroyed during the floods. The cement, he said, would help affected households begin the reconstruction of their homes.
President Mahama further directed the Hohoe Member of Parliament, the Municipal Chief Executive and the Volta Regional Minister to ensure that the relief items were distributed fairly to residents directly affected by the disaster. He said the distribution should prioritise households that had suffered the greatest impact.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, expressed appreciation to the President for visiting the affected communities and supporting residents. He said an ad hoc committee had been established to coordinate relief efforts and ensure that assistance reached affected households. The committee comprises assembly members from affected areas, traditional authorities, Zongo chiefs and women’s representatives.
The Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, Prosper Kumi, said about 5,336 people had been individually affected by the floods, with several homes and other structures damaged or destroyed. He said three critical bridges had also been affected, temporarily disrupting access to some communities.
The Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, thanked the President and government for responding to the disaster and appealed for additional support from government, businesses, organisations, development partners and individuals.
He said the scale of the destruction required assistance beyond immediate relief, particularly for families whose homes had collapsed and whose livelihoods had been disrupted.
From Daniel K. Orlando, Hohoe