Akosombo Dam spillage: PWDs hit hard, cry for help

The Akosombo Dam spillage of September 2023 left a trail of destruction, disproportionately affecting Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) who faced immense challenges in its aftermath.

While thousands were displaced and communities ravaged, PWDs were among the hardest hit, struggling with the dual burdens of physical limitations and inadequate support.

The controlled spillage of the Akosombo hydroelectric dam, initiated by the Volta River Authority (VRA) due to rising water levels, displaced over 31,000 people and submerged entire communities. The flood devastated livelihoods, destroyed homes, and created a humanitarian crisis in the Volta and Eastern regions. For PWDs, this disaster exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, leaving many without homes, income, or access to essential services.

A future disrupted

Among the affected is Peace Aku Mortie, a 13-year-old with a physical disability whose life has been turned upside down. Before the disaster, Peace was doing well in school. However, the flooding forced her to drop out.

“Before the Akosombo Dam spillage, I was in RC Primary School in Patamia Aveyeme, but after the flooding, I can’t go back to school. I want to go to school like other kids, but I can’t. There’s no school here, and my mom can’t afford to send me anywhere else,” she lamented.

Her mother, Dzekle Dzikor, a single parent of three, has been her pillar of support. Living in poverty, Dzekle has been unable to provide the resources needed for Peace’s education and medical care after the spillage destroyed their home and her fish-selling business.

“This all started with the Akosombo Dam spillage. After we were relocated from St. Kizito Camp to Aveyeme Camp, life has not been easy. I lost my business and home, which has created a financial burden. Life has become really hard. I’m praying for help to start over. I can’t bear to see my family suffer while I do nothing”, Dzekle shared.

Peace, now living in a temporary camp with no hope of returning to school, pleaded, “I want to go back to school. Please help me to go back to school.”

Stories of loss and resilience

Similarly, Kadzatsi Gotor, an 80-year-old widow, was left severely impacted by the disaster. A stroke rendered her arms paralyzed, and the floodwaters destroyed her home, money, and maize business.

“I was on my farm when I heard the water had overtaken my properties. Immediately, I fell and later realized I had lost my hands. Now, I can’t move my arms,” she recounted. Madam Gotor now survives on inconsistent food donations and struggles daily to make ends meet.

“Madam Kadzatsi Gotor used to farm for herself, even though she’s older,” a relative explained. “But the flood ruined everything, just like it did for everyone else. She was an inspiration to us all, showing that age isn’t a barrier. Now, she relies on kind relatives to get by.”

Another relative said “It’s heartbreaking to see her depend on others after years of hard work.”

In Mepe’s Camp One, 54-year-old Chastika Lebene, paralyzed by a spinal disorder, also struggles to cope. Living in a tent with over 130 other flood victims, Lebene expressed frustration over inadequate infrastructure.

“The Volta River Authority (VRA) has helped with food and transportation, but we need proper housing,” he stated. Pointing to a nearby toilet facility, she lamented, “We don’t need this; we need rooms to sleep in.”

Calls for urgent help

The Volta Regional Secretary of the Ghana Society of Physically Disabled Persons, Amanatey Dusi, highlighted the plight of PWDs, revealing that at least 175 PWDs in Mepe alone were directly affected by the spillage. Many, he said, had lost their lives due to the trauma and hardships of the disaster.

“The life of PWDs after the flood has never returned to normalcy. Even though non-disabled people are struggling, it’s worse for PWDs,” he said, stressing the urgent need for accessible housing, economic empowerment programs, and free education for affected PWDs.

“Local authorities must take proactive steps to protect vulnerable communities,” urged another member of the association. “The recent floods have exposed the severe challenges faced by marginalized groups, and it’s crucial to implement measures to safeguard their well-being.”

North Tongu District Social Welfare Officer, Albert Henyo, confirmed that approximately 250 PWDs in the district were affected by the disaster, losing homes, livelihoods, and essential resources. While some have received temporary accommodations and food, many still rely on family and friends for survival.

“We lack funding but need to do more by creating opportunities for them,” Mr. Henyo urged, calling on NGOs and government agencies for intervention.

The path forward

The disaster of the Akosombo Dam spillage has underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms to address the unique vulnerabilities of PWDs. Accessible housing designed to meet their needs, economic recovery programs, and inclusive healthcare and education initiatives are critical to restoring dignity and hope for those most affected, according to Mr. Henyo.

As the recovery efforts continue, the call for action to rebuild lives and support PWDs becomes ever more urgent. Without deliberate policies and resources, the lives of those most severely affected by this crisis will remain in peril.

The author of this report, Bertha Demah, is a Fellow of the 2024 Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship at the Media Foundation for West Africa