The Ghana Association of Banks, in partnership with United Way Ghana, has made a generous donation of relief items to assist the victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage in the Volta Region.
This donation event took place at the Roman Catholic Primary School in Mepe, located in the North Tongu District. This school has now been repurposed as a temporary holding center for the residents who were displaced due to the dam spillage.
Official statistics from the Emergency Operation Center in Battor indicate that a total of 65 communities in the North Tongu district were affected by the flooding. The estimated number of affected individuals stands at approximately 12,265.
The donation has benefited over 150 households, providing them with essential relief items.
Thanks to the generous contribution from the Ghana Association Banks, in collaboration with United Way Ghana, a wide range of relief items were distributed.
These items included mattresses and pillows, detergents, toiletries, comfortable blankets, sanitary pads, sanitizers, and many other essential supplies.
During a brief ceremony to hand over the items to the residents at the holding center, Audrey Mireku, representing the Ghana Association of Banks, explained that this donation was prompted by the dire situation faced by the flood victims, many of whom had lost their livelihoods.
This act of generosity according to her, aligns with the association’s commitment to assisting in disaster management, similar to their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Ghana Association of Banks is unwavering in its dedication to fostering positive change in the lives of individuals and communities, in partnership with United Way Ghana, we have launched a project aimed at providing assistance to the victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage, this initiative borne out of necessity underscores the strength of collective action, empathy and shared commitment to uplift those in need”. She said.
Audrey Mireku also highlighted the rationale behind the partnership with United Way, stating, “United Way Ghana has a proven track record in managing efforts like these.” She emphasized that the United Way Ghana team has the right competencies and extensive experience in disaster management, having been their partner in previous disaster relief initiatives.
“They have been our partner in other disaster management situations, they have first-hand experience working with the victims, they carried out the assessments and getting the feedback from the assessment we saw the need to partner with them,” she said.
Faustina Abbey, Impact team lead for United Way Ghana, addressed the gathered victims of the spillage in Mepe, expressing their deep concern upon hearing of the victims’ plight. She emphasized the importance of mobilizing essential relief items through the Ghana Association of Banks to provide support during these challenging times.
“We heard of the unfortunate flooding incident in Mepe, where displaced people had lost their homes and livelihood, its sad people had to go through this ordeal, so we quickly had to partner with the Ghana Association of Banks to bring relief to you. We conducted our own research on essential items that you urgently needed in this holding center and worked together with the Ghana Association of Banks to bring to you these relief items to help you in these difficult times.” Faustina Abbey said.
One of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the initiative, acknowledging the extreme difficulties they faced after the Akosombo Dam spillage, which resulted in the loss of their belongings and livelihoods. The donated items were seen as a crucial lifeline during these trying times.
The United Way Ghana team also made a separate donation at the North Tongu District Hospital, providing various health and sanitation items, including boxes of K95 facemasks, detergents, sanitary gloves, sanitizers, and disinfectants.
Emmanuel Martey, Senior Social Development Officer and Member of the Emergency Operation Center, conveyed the district assembly’s profound appreciation to United Way Ghana for this vital donation. He noted that the items donated were precisely what the district assembly needed to manage the humanitarian crisis in the area, which is now posing significant health challenges.