Sebastian Freiku
6 July 2009
Kumasi — ABOUT 157 families, comprising an average 10 members each, who were rendered homeless following their displacement by the June 14, 2009 devastating overflowing of the Offin River at Amadaa in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, are to be relocated.
The displaced residents, currently relocated at Nkrumah, are putting up in classrooms and Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) sheds, and with friends and relations.
About 45 buildings, as well domestic animals and farms were destroyed by the floods, the third in 41 years. The first floods were in 1968, with the second occurring in 2004.
The Chief of Toase, Nana Poku Asiamah Afrifa, and also a Member of the Council of State, is yet to demarcate a parcel of land for the resettlement of the affected persons.
The queenmother of Hiawu Besease is also working to resettle residents of Abasua No 1 and 2, who were also affected by the flooding.
While efforts are being made to resettle the flood victims, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), in collaboration with the Atwima Mponua District Assembly and Ahafo Ano South District Assembly, has provided relief items worth about GH¢11,504.
The items included bags of rice, mattresses, blankets, plastic plates and cups, Wellington boots, a quantity of bales of secondhand clothing, and cooking oil.
The Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Ms. Anima Wilson, who presented the relief items to flood victims of the affected communities at separate ceremonies last Monday, assured them of the government's support for the resettlement exercise.
Ms. Wilson urged the district assembles to collaborate with the Department of Town and Country Planning, to fashion out modern layouts for communities, to avoid flooding from building on waterways, in swampy areas and wet lands.
She also advised the communities against farming activities along river banks, and the felling of trees, which she said served as windbreaks during rainstorms.
The Minister reminded the residents of the dangers of flooding, which she said was inevitable, so long as impediments were put in waterways, and pleaded with the residents not to resist relocation this time round.
The Assembly Member for the Nkrumah/Betinko electoral area, Salifu Iddrisu, who received the items on behalf of the displaced residents of Amadaa, appealed to the government and the District Assembly to facilitate their resettlement, with the provision of roofing sheets and cement.
He also called for loan facilities for the women to revamp their trading activities.
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