Mepe Development Association Not Happy with Sanitation Minister’s comments
The Mepe Development Association (MDA) has vehemently denounced remarks made by Freda Prempeh, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, regarding flood victims in the Mepe community and other Lower Volta Basin towns hit by flooding.
Ms Freda Prempeh held the victims of the flooding caused by the Akosombo Dam's spill accountable for their failure to heed the Volta River Authority's and other state authorities' early evacuation warnings.
According to the Minister, the victims burdened the government since they would not move until the regrettable occurrence occurred.
"The Akosombo spill, even though VRA, NADMO, and the Water Resource Commission collaborated to inform the community and conducted a simulation exercise at Mepe, they refused to leave and remained there until the very end when we began spilling," the speaker stated.
The MDA responded to the minister's remarks by accusing her in a press release of spreading false information and misinformation about the victims of the "state-created disaster."
Examining the minister's statement in detail, the MDA declared that, contrary to what the minister claimed, no simulation or post-simulation exercises were conducted by the Mepe Traditional Council, the Mepe Development Association, opinion leaders, or any other stakeholders.
"It begs the question of whether the money spent on the simulation should not be returned to the state coffers—how such a significant exercise could elude the eyes and ears of these important community stakeholders," the MDA said.
The Association added that the minister's argument that the residents of Mepe should have fled is incorrect because neither the VRA nor any other state agency had offered any temporary shelter facilities for displaced residents before or after the flood event.
"Seven temporary safe havens were established for the impacted flood victims at Mepe R.C. Primary, R.C. JHS, Mepe Presby Primary, Presby JHS, D.A. JHS, Holy Christ, and St. Kizito Secondary Technical School by the MDA leadership, in coordination with the chiefs.
"Just this past Friday, the VRA provided six mobile restrooms, following repeated appeals, to St. Kizito, which presently houses 1,320 displaced persons out of these seven safe havens," the MDA said.
"Is the Minister aware that over 1,000 displaced Ghanaian citizens are currently dependent on just six mobile restrooms at St. Kizito?" the Association asked.
"Is she aware that there aren't any portable restrooms left at the six safe havens in Mepe? Does she also realise that mosquitoes and other hazardous reptiles expose the displaced victims—including women and children—to these dangers every night?
"We also question how many litter bins, mosquito nets, and clean water access for cooking, drinking, and bathing the Mepe people have received from the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources since the disaster caused by man-made flooding."
The MDA urged the minister to stop spreading false information and misinformation about the flood calamity and instead visit and assist the impacted communities.
The MDA demands that the Minister update the public on her ministry's actions on the impending health emergency in the impacted areas, the tainted water supplies, and the flood's unhygienic circumstances. It's time to take decisive action, Minister. Turn up.
Since the flood tragedy, our community has had enough of false information and deception from government sources. We are still in deep mourning and emotional turmoil. The MDA stated, "All we ask for is consideration for our dignity and sensitivity at these trying times in our history.
It also urged all official appointees and communicators to abstain from ignorant and misinformed remarks that held flood victims responsible for the catastrophe.
"The state needs to own up to its part in the disaster it's made, express regret, and show compassion for the impacted communities. Minister Freda Prempeh, let us abstain from worsening our people's suffering. The MDA said as much.
It demanded that the minister promptly and unconditionally apologise to the Mepe people and chiefs for her regrettable comments.
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