By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations in the Water and Sanitation Sector (CONIWAS) and its partners have donated some relief items to some communities affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage in the Ada East.
The items include bags of sachet water, bags of rice and used clothes worth hundreds of Ghana Cedis.
The donation was part of activities earmarked for the 2024 edition of the Commemoration of the World Water Day celebration under the global theme: “Leveraging Water for Peace” while the national-level theme was “Promoting Utilisation of Water for Peace”.
Addressing the gathering, the Executive Secretary of CONIWAS, Madam Basilia Nanbigne, appealed to residents to keep their surroundings clean at all times, especially the riverbanks.
She underscored the importance of safeguarding water resources from pollution caused by human activities such as the dumping of refuse in and around rivers.
“Let’s be mindful that any negative environmental activity we undertake in and around our rivers, lakes, and streams will have health consequences for our communities and communities downstream.
To be at peace with everyone whose life somehow depends on these same rivers, lakes and streams that surround us, we must strive to preserve, protect and stop polluting our water bodies,” the Executive Secretary of CONIWAS reiterated.
On his part, the Zonal Director of the Ada East office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Phidicks Ofori Glah, hinted that the recent Akosombo Dam spillage had had a significant negative impact on Ada East, saying the spillage affected over five thousand six hundred and eighty-five (5,685) individuals.
According to him, NADMO and its stakeholders responded by evacuating and providing shelter for over seven hundred and sixty-seven (767) affected persons across three safe havens.
“These shelters operated from October 15th to November 9th, 2023, incurring operational expenses totaling GH¢90,222 with a lot more debt to pay.
“We are therefore appealing to individuals and corporate bodies to come to the aid of NADMO to settle outstanding payments,” Mr Ofori Glah said.
“Nene Chaiman, let me again use this opportunity to urge everyone near and afar to refrain from dumping refuse into water bodies to mitigate pollution.
We need to find a lasting solution to address issues arising from dam spillage to prevent water contamination.
I therefore, encourage all community members to actively participate in preserving water quality,” he reiterated.
