Dr. Apaak urges gov’t to include Education, Health Ministers on flood committee

The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak has called for the inclusion of the Ministers of Education and Health to the Ministerial Committee set up to deal with Akosombo Dam Spillage.

This comes on the back of Government outdooring a Ministerial Committee announced by the Ministry of Information to deal with the havoc caused by the Akosombo Dam Spillage.

The deputy ranking member of Education Committee in brief statement indicated that there are thousands of students and pupil involved in the development.

Dr. Apaak further in view of the situation the Education and Health Ministers cannot be left out.

“The Ministers of Education and Health ought to be part of the committee to address the effects of the flooding. Given that thousands of pupils/students have been affected and the obvious health implications of the floods, these ministers must be included.

“What is the value of having the Ministers for Environment and Lands on the committee? They should be replaced by Education and Health!” the deputy ranking member stated.

However, Former President John Mahama who has earlier visited the flood victims has recommended to the President Akufo-Addo and the government to clear State of Emergency in the affected areas.

The former President also stated that per the scope and scale of flooding bigger than the crippled economy.

“It is clear that the scope and scale of the flooding of communities along the Volta River is bigger than our crippled economy can bear.

“I recommend to Government to declare a State of Emergency in the affected areas and request relief assistance from our bilateral and multilateral partners immediately,” the former President stated in tweet.

Background

“On October 13, 2023, the Ministry of Information unveiled a significant development: the formation of a 13-member inter-ministerial committee to deal with the Akosombo dam spillage that is causing havoc to communities.

This committee’s primary objective is to harmonize and manage the government’s response to the victims severely impacted by the Akosombo dam spillage.

In the Volta Region, a calamitous event unfolded as water gushed forth from the Akosombo dam, inundating thousands of homes and displacing countless residents.

The sheer magnitude of this catastrophe has left these unfortunate individuals homeless and grappling with the aftermath.

Chaired by the Chief of staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the other members of the committee include the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah; Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery; Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul; Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh; Finance Minister,  Ken Ofori-Atta and the Minister of Local Government, Daniel Kwaku Botwe.

Some other members are Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye; Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Minister for Environment, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie; Minister for Sanitation, Freda Prempeh; Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor and the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

The establishment of this ministerial committee signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the pressing issues arising from this disaster, offering hope and support to those affected. It stands as a pivotal step towards recovery and restoration in the wake of this crisis.

Source: Today.com.gh