Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has announced plans to pursue legal action against the government and the Volta River Authority (VRA) for failing to compensate the Akosombo Dam spillage victims.
The spillage in September 2023 displaced over twelve thousand people and caused widespread destruction to livelihoods and property.
Nearly a year since the disaster, many affected residents have not seen significant recovery or compensation.
The VRA opened the floodgates of the Akosombo Dam due to high water levels, which jeopardized the dam’s stability and caused the flood.
At a public hearing conducted by an ad hoc parliamentary committee, North Tongu’s District Chief Executive, Divine Osborn Fenu, it was reported that over a thousand residents remain displaced.
In response, MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has urged immediate compensation and reduced utility tariffs for the affected individuals.
He warned that if the government does not act promptly, legal proceedings will be initiated next month, marking the disaster’s first anniversary.
The Interior Ministry has instructed the VRA to follow all necessary protocols in future operations to prevent similar incidents and has acknowledged that some affected areas will be designated as Ramsar sites, restricting residential use.
The ongoing public hearings aim to gather insights and develop solutions to address the long-term effects of the dam spillage.
