The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region has expressed concerns over the omission by President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo to address the plights of victims affected by the recent flood disaster in the 2024 State of the Nation's Address (SONA).

The NDC asserts that the State of the Nation’s Address was disappointing for people in the Volta Region who were affected by the spillage of the Kpong and Akosombo dams. 

The recent flood disaster, caused havoc in communities within the Volta and other regions, leaving countless families displaced and livelihoods destroyed.

The onslaught of tidal waves in the three southern municipalities of Anlo, Keta, and Ketu South has compounded the suffering of the people, leaving them vulnerable and in urgent need of assistance.

A statement, signed by the NDC’s Volta Regional Communications Officer, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze noted the SONA “was particularly disappointing for the people in the Volta Region,” who were eagerly anticipating a relieving update on the several promises made earlier to alleviate their predicaments following the disaster.

According to the NDC, the people were expecting to hear about the disbursement of the “GHS220 million” allocated in the 2024 Budget to support the affected communities, the funds from the World Bank under the IDA Crisis Response Window (CRW) to support the resettlement of the victims, restoration of livelihoods, compensation, and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected communities.

It expressed regret that amidst these precarious challenges, the President chose not to acknowledge or offer solutions to alleviate the suffering of fellow citizens, while emphasising that the absence of any mention of relief efforts or plans to mitigate the effects of the disaster in the 31-page SONA is a glaring oversight that reflects a deliberate lack of empathy and commitment to the well-being of these countrymen.

The NDC noted that what is equally displeasing is the President's mention of a non-existent project like the Keta Fish Landing Site on page 22 of his presentation. 

It, therefore, requested the President to “urgently address this issue and prioritise the needs of those affected by the flood disaster and tidal waves,” while demanding that relief aid be provided and affected communities rehabilitated while sustainable measures must be implemented to prevent future occurrences.