President John Dramani Mahama has expressed government sympathy to victims of the Hohoe flood and assured them of livelihood support. The President made the remarks after assessing and interacting with some victims in Hohoe. He noted that issues of climate change were leading to extreme weather phenomena which rarely occurred. The flood, caused by continuous rainfall in Togo, brought a lot of water down the River Dayi and flooded the low-lying areas of Hohoe.
President Mahama revealed that he was on his way back from New York, from the United Nations, when he heard about the flood in Hohoe. He presented items from the presidency and acknowledged all donations that had been made to support the victims. The President commended the traditional authorities, Member of Parliament, Municipal Chief Executive, and all stakeholders for their various support. The donation is expected to cushion the victims and provide them with essential relief.
Mr James Gunu, Regional Minister, commended the President for his visit and donation, noting that it would go a long way to support the victims. He urged victims not to relocate into their homes but wait for assessments to be conducted. The Regional Minister praised President Mahama’s response to disaster victims, especially in the Region. His remarks were echoed by other stakeholders who appreciated the President’s timely intervention.
Mr Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, Hohoe Member of Parliament (MP), pleaded with the President to support victims with building materials to help them rebuild. He acknowledged the donations from the Presidency through the Gender, Children, and Social Protection Ministry and expressed gratitude. The MP’s appeal is expected to help victims recover from the devastating flood and restore their livelihoods.
Mr Prosper Kumi, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), noted that aside the Zongo community, six other communities along the river line were affected. He said 5,336 households were individually affected, as well as three critical bridges. The MCE appealed for support to help the affected communities recover. He also mentioned that relief items were being received and distributed to victims.
Togbega Gabusu VII, Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area, and Alhaji Muhammed Tajudeen Mairiga, Sarkin Zongo (Chief of the Zongo community), thanked the President for his visit and donation. They expressed hope that the relief items would be distributed to the victims. The traditional leaders appreciated the President’s gesture and promised to ensure the items reached the intended beneficiaries.
The items donated from the Presidency included bags of rice, washing powders, mattresses, blankets, and bedsheets, among others. Other donations include relief boxes of assorted food from MTN Ghana Foundation, a cash donation from Volta Regional Caucus of Members of Parliament, and a promised donation of 5,000 bags of branded Dzata cement. The donations are expected to provide relief to the affected victims and support their recovery efforts.
Key points
- President Mahama presents relief items to Hohoe flood victims
- 5,336 households affected by the flood in Hohoe
- Victims appeal for building materials to rebuild homes
