Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) representative for North Tongu, has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his remarks to those affected by the Akosombo Dam spill.
According to him, the President’s comments about the situation of the people were completely unnecessary.
Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa said that because the populace is currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis, now is not the appropriate time to discuss who votes for which party and who does not vote.
“I do not think that this is the time to be talking about votes, this is a humanitarian crisis, people have been submerged, entire communities have been submerged under the water and the VRA continues to spill.
“All the indications are that many more communities are going to be affected. My concern at this point is not about the election, I am thinking about saving lives, I am thinking about making sure that people are protected so that they can keep body and soul together in the various 19 caps that we have established,” Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa told TV3.
He added “I think that those comments [by the President] are not necessary at this point, my people think that his response was too late, the way he swiftly comments on disasters elsewhere particularly in other countries we didn’t see that in this, it took a lot of public agitations for him to set up the interministerial committee and then to come and visit us here, but they say better late than never, we acknowledge his visit. What is really important is not a mere visit, mere rhetoric we want to see what plans are being put in place to alleviate the plight of our people.”
On Monday, October 16, President Nana Akufo-Addo told the residents of Mepe who had been affected by the flood brought on by the dam spill that he serves as president for all Ghanaians, regardless of whether they voted for him or not.
The chiefs and residents of Mepe and other towns in the North, South, and Central Tongu areas of the Region—strongholds of the main opposition NDC — were given assurances by the president that the government would do everything within its power to improve their situation.
