The tidal waves which rendered some people in the coastal parts of the Volta Region homeless provoked heated debate in the chamber of Parliament yesterday when opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) sought to blame the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for the natural disaster.
Some 3,000 people in Keta, Anlo and Ketu South constituencies were said to have been rendered homeless after waves swept through their homes over the weekend.
And the lawmakers, from the opposition NDC, saw it as an opportunity to make political capital out of it, by attacking the government of inaction.
Led by the leader of Volta Caucus, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (NDC Ho West), the Minority MPs accused the government of neglecting the people affected by the tidal waves in communities such as Kedzikope, Keta Central and Abutiakope.
He created the impression that no official had visited the place and victims, and said it was a sign of lack of sensitivity on the part of the ruling government, whilst appealing for a swift intervention.
The NDC MP for Ketu South, Dzifa Gomashie made matters worse when she questioned whether the government considered the affected people as Ghanaians who deserve support and relief items, claiming among others the disaster occurred as a result of non-continuation of the Keta Sea Defence Wall project.
She and three other MPs from the Volta Region accused the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) of reneging on their duties as a state organisation responsible for national disaster, while questioning the nation’s preparedness against disasters.
Majority Rebuttal
In response, Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin (NPP Effutu) questioned the sincerity of the Minority MPs and their party’s record of supporting the people of Volta Region, especially the Keta Municipality which was severely hit by the tidal waves.
“This is not the first time we have experienced this. It’s been ages. Former President had good reasons to lament on some activities, including sand winning at the time, making the situation worse.
“Recently, the EPA boss, when this situation happened, also had the cause to lament that one of the factors making this situation worse is the unfortunate sand winning business,” he stated and added that such natural occurrences should not be taken lightly and treated with partisanship.
“It is on that score that I strongly disagree with the position taken by the MP for Keta, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey.
“To the extent that he created the impression that nothing is being done, and that he does not look at the whole matter broadly for action to be taken and wants to create the impression that this is the first time we are seeing tidal waves in the Volta Region.
“That mischief is what I want to cure. It is a national disaster and something we must discuss dispassionately,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said.
He indicated that he had read that the MP for the area had visited the people and some relief items had been given, but in all the contributions (from the Minority side) members were quiet on, and indicated that this was unfair.
“We hold the view that no impression should be created that the government is not serious about the situation there,” he pointed out and continued that the Brekusu stretch of the sea defence project (phase one) was completed by the NPP government.
“All the seriousness has been taken to address the situation. No major step was taken in Jerry Rawlings’ time for the 20 years that he ruled this country.
“And so if a government has come and made sure that a project that was initiated had been followed through and completed, then when there is any contribution on the floor, it is important for this to be echoed, especially MPs coming from that area,” he added.
The Majority Leader said for opposition MPs to create the impression that the government has done nothing to solve the problem and also question whether the people of those areas are also Ghanaians, amounted to insincerity.
“In 2017, this government came to this House for a facility and as we speak the following landing beach projects are being constructed.
“Landing beach projects are ongoing in Axim, Dixcove, Moree, Mumford (in the Gomoa West District), Otuam, Mfanteman, Winneba, Senya Breku, Gomoa Fetteh, Osu and Keta,” adding, “These projects will to help our fisher folks.”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin said it was rather the NDC government that failed to deliver after a promise in 2012, noting that it was part of the CBG loan of GH¢3 billion that the former Finance Minister, Seth Tekper capped.
“In 2012, through CBG, that facility – they said GH¢3 billion. They said they were going to construct a landing beach project at Keta.
“After three years, Hon Seth Tekper came to this House to say he was doing capping, knowing that the people of Keta have been supporting the NDC government so overwhelmingly. They didn’t do it until this government came in,” he stated.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House