…As They Call for Direct Payouts of Future Compensations
The Tongu Flood Victims Association (TFVA) has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to ensure transparency and fairness in the disbursement of the recently announced GH₵220 million compensation package for victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage disaster.
At a press conference held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Mepe, North Tongu District, the Association’s Chairman and Spokesperson, Mr. Godson DeGaulle Hlordzi, accused some local authorities and state actors of corruption and mismanagement of previous relief efforts.
Addressing the media, Mr. Hlordzi expressed appreciation to President Mahama for what he described as the most significant financial commitment yet to communities along the Lower Volta Basin.
Despite the recent allocation, Mr. Hlordzi raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency in the handling of earlier donations.
He alleged that although over GH₵200 million, along with substantial foreign aid, was mobilized between 2023 and 2024, most flood victims received little to no direct financial support—only sporadic relief in the form of food items and modest cash donations from agencies like the World Food Programme (GH₵1,000) and the Red Cross Society (GH₵1,200).
“Where is the money?” Mr. Hlordzi questioned, pointing fingers at former North Tongu District Chief Executive, Mr. Divine Osborn Kwadzo Fenu, and other local officials.
He cited numerous donors, including the Chief Imam, GOIL, McDan Shipping Company, the German and American embassies, and private citizens, whose contributions, he claimed, never reached the intended beneficiaries.
The TFVA is demanding that future compensations be paid directly into verified bank accounts of affected persons, bypassing traditional authorities and political appointees.
Mr. Hlordzi warned that without such reforms, the alleged mismanagement, favoritism, and embezzlement could recur.
“We are not against our traditional leaders,” he clarified. “But we are calling on President Mahama and the public to ensure transparency, equity, and order in this process.”
Another major concern raised was the inconsistency in victim data. Mr. Hlordzi noted stark differences in reported figures: while the Mepe Development Association (MDA) claimed 18,000 victims, TFVA’s count was 2,000, and NADMO recorded 13,000.
The Association is urging the President to set up an independent committee of inquiry to verify all data before any funds are disbursed.
TFVA also questioned the ongoing resettlement housing project in Battor, demanding clear criteria for beneficiary selection and clarity on housing allocation.
In a swift response, Chairman of the Mepe Development Association, Mr. Fabian Mawulenu Kojo, defended the credibility of the MDA’s data and denied any wrongdoing.
He said the Association’s figures were compiled using thorough methods and had been audited and made public to local chiefs and residents. He also provided details of how relief items were fairly distributed to genuine victims.
“Our hands are clean,” Mr. Fabian insisted, stating that the MDA acted transparently and in the best interest of the affected communities.
As tensions rise, the Tongu Flood Victims Association remains firm in its demand for justice, vowing not to stay silent if efforts to divert resources continue.
“We will not allow others to benefit from what rightfully belongs to us,” Mr. Hlordzi stated emphatically.
The Association has pledged to continue peaceful advocacy while awaiting a formal response from the Mahama-led administration.
