The Deputy National Coordinator of Traders and Artisans for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Bright Botchway, has called on the government to provide compensation to rice farmers who have been adversely affected by the recent Akosombo Dam spillage.
According to him, the spillage has not only threatened the livelihoods of the inhabitants but also raised concerns about a potential hunger crisis in the affected community.
Flooding due to the spillage has propelled many communities in the North, South, and Central Tongu districts of the Volta Region to evacuate, leaving them with no alternative but to endeavor and save their lives and belongings.
The former Central Regional deputy youth organizer indicated that the rice farmers in the affected communities reportedly borrowed loans from banks to cultivate their crops on 100-hectare land.
However, the unexpected spillage has submerged their farmlands, leaving them in a precarious situation that is inimical to their economic lives.
Mr. Botchway emphasized that the livelihood of these farmers is at stake, and the repercussions could extend to the broader community.
Botchway’s call for compensation to the affected farmers comes as a response to the untold economic hardship and uncertainty that these farmers face due to the loss of their crops.
“Providing compensation would not only aid in the recovery of these farmers but also contribute to preventing food scarcity in the region,” he added.
Mr. Boothway is urging the government to assess the extent of the damage caused by the Akosombo Dam spillage and take prompt action to support the affected rice farmers during this challenging time.
“This situation underscores the importance of proactive measures to address the impact of environmental events on local communities and their livelihoods,” he stressed.
By Lawrence Odoom