The Visionary Norman Foundation (VNF) has highlighted the need for the Ghanaian government to urgently address the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillages as citizens remain at risk.
Development Diaries reports that the foundation, in a statement, called for an awareness campaign on water purification, sanitation, and hygiene practices by the government to mitigate the possible outbreak of waterborne diseases.
Nearly 26,000 people in the Volta area of the country have been displaced after floods destroyed homes, farms, and schools. The floods were caused by the spillage of excess water from both dams.
With many homes and public infrastructures destroyed by the floods, VNF fears this could lead to a public health crisis if an urgent response by the government is not initiated.
‘We are deeply concerned about the recent and ongoing public health crisis resulting from the Akosombo Dam spillage in parts of the Volta Region’, VNF’s Executive Director, Abraham Nortey, said.
‘The flooding caused by this unfortunate incident has had devastating effects on the affected communities, and the repercussions on public health are now becoming increasingly alarming.
‘Reports from the ground indicate that cases of waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid, are on the rise in these flood-affected areas, and the contamination of water sources due to the flooding poses an imminent risk to the lives and health of the residents in these communities.
‘We understand the significant challenges involved in managing such a crisis, but the safety and well-being of the affected communities are of paramount importance’.
The Ghanaian health care system already suffers from inadequate financial health investments, a limited workforce and facilities, and poor hygiene and sanitation.
Development Diaries, therefore, calls on the Ghanaian authorities to immediately respond to the flooding crisis and provide aid relief to those affected to ensure the crisis does not lead to an outbreak of waterborne diseases.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Photo source: Ghana News Agency
