By Edzorna Francis Mensah
The recent rains in some parts of the country have caused serious havoc in some parts of Ketu South Municipality, leaving hundreds of homes in and around Klikor and Somey (Agbozume) under flood waters.
The situation, which has brought business to its knees, has led to the temporary breakdown of economic activities like Kete/Kente weaving, farming, and fishing, as many of the local folks are put under personal restriction in their respective homes. Footpaths leading to the market and the Agbozume township were heavily flooded, making the already deplorable area unmotorable.
The phenomenon is likely to impact life negatively if nothing is done to salvage the situation on time because, as observed by this
GBC Edzorna Francis Mensah reports that he had to fold his trousers before accessing some affected communities like Dzisakorpe, Elokorpe, Kpotorkorpe, and several communities along the Keta Lagoon Complex like Kpedzakorpe and Sonuto, among other areas.
The severely affected areas under Klikor are Shieme Apegame, Shietorkope, Tsavanya, Kpordoave, and parts of Klikor Central. Others are Elokorpe, Logove, Agudzakope, Sukladzi, Amukoe, Ahorkpey Dzisakope, Dawukope, and parts of Amefinukope/Atsiwuta.
Currently, many people, especially the elderly, are afraid of the flood. As one said, “I’m afraid for my life; I haven’t seen this terrible flood in my entire life.”
Some of the teachers at National Basic School, Wisdom Basic, and Sukladzi Basic say they have to take off their shoes and walk through the water to access their schools. Many people in these affected areas are living in fear as they anticipate more rain in the coming days, especially this June.
For now, the Ketu South section of the Keta lagoon complex as well as other lagoons and rivers surrounding the two traditional areas have started experiencing overflow, threatening the residents along the banks.
A concerned citizen from both Agbozume and Klikor, Dan Sorokpo, disclosed that he has on his own begun the process of reaching out to philanthropists at home and abroad for support after meeting some concerned opinion leaders recently.
According to him, he was surprised to see government officials and key stakeholders remain unconcerned and continue to remain silent over the problem, which he said he has “already initiated to get some relief to solve problems the schoolchildren are going through daily when going to school”.
Others who spoke on condition of anonymity called on the assembly to offer some assistance by pumping the flood waters from hard-hit areas to pave the way for the free movement of goods and commuters.
Meanwhile, Assembly Member of Agbozume North Electoral Area, Mawufemor Kofi Folivi, has confirmed that officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) were in town to collect data on both the affected communities and the people.
He also disclosed that Somey Wego Zonal Council will be having an emergency council meeting on Tuesday to ascertain all of the communities and submit an accurate report on the situation to the appropriate quarters for action.
