Flood: ECOWAS approved $200,000 to support victims, why has govt gone quiet on this? – Ablakwa asks

By
Laud Nartey
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North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed surprise that the government failed to announce that it applied to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for financial support to assist victims of the flood that was caused by the spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams by the Volta River Authority, leading to the destruction of several properties in Mepe and other communities of the Volta Region.

The opposition lawmaker indicated that intercepted documents from the ECOWAS Commission show that ECOWAS has approved US$200,000.00 (GHS2.4million) following Ghana’s application.

He indicated that the NDC Caucus in Parliament will promptly demand full disclosure and total accountability on all government requests for funding submitted to international organizations and how these funds are being utilized.

He wrote on his X platform on Tuesday, December 19 “Why has the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government concealed from Parliament and the Ghanaian people that they had additionally applied to ECOWAS for financial support for the  Akosombo dam spillage flood victims? Intercepted documents from the ECOWAS Commission show that ECOWAS has approved US$200,000.00 (GHS2.4million) following Ghana’s application.

“When Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta presented the 2024 Budget on November 15, 2023 — he only disclosed government’s applications to the World Bank and the Global Shield Against Climate Risk Fund. (Reference: paragraphs 29 and 30 at page 5 of 2024 Budget). This is despite having applied to the ECOWAS Commission some two weeks prior to the budget presentation in Parliament as the intercepted documents from ECOWAS reveal.

“The NDC Caucus in Parliament shall be promptly demanding full disclosure and total accountability on all government requests for funding submitted to international organizations and how these funds are being utilized.”