In Ghana, floods caused by the opening of the floodgates of two dams after heavy rains submerged several towns
Nearly 26,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in eastern Ghana at the request of authorities, due to flooding caused by several days of heavy rains. Farmers saw their fields completely destroyed and schools closed, after the two hydroelectric dams Akosombo and Kpong overflowed.
The most affected areas are Sogakofe, Sege and Mepe in the Volta region. These submerged towns, where fishermen and farmers resided, found themselves deprived of water and electricity. The residents had to be moved to places of refuge.
Paul Martey explains that the rising waters "had disastrous consequences" on his family, "for more than a week, we have not been able to do anything about this water." he lamented.
These are the worst floods recorded in this region since at least 2010, according to NADMO, Ghana's national disaster management organization. Although this is not the first time that local authorities have opened the floodgates of these dams to prevent them from bursting, the scale of the overflow has nevertheless taken many residents by surprise. Members of the opposition denounce poor management on the part of local authorities.
Opponent Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said: "I will demand an investigation into this matter, those responsible must be tried and, above all, reforms must be put in place to prevent this situation from happening again."
Health experts fear the outbreak of an epidemic of water-borne diseases in these regions.
Doctor Richard Selormey of the Ghana Medical Association warns of the high probability that epidemics of cholera and typhoid could break out due to "the discharge of wastewater almost everywhere." “Malaria cases may also increase,” he added.
For their part, officials of the Volta River Authority say they warned local residents several months ago about the process of spilling water from the dams, and as a result, organized the evacuation of the population ensuring that no one No deaths have been reported so far.
Ken Arthur, Deputy Director General of the Volta River Authority, VRA, explains that "discharge may continue although levels will drop to stage 1." According to him, "to save these dams, we have to release water."
Rescue operations continue, and President Nana Akufo-Addo has set up a committee to provide relief to the victims.
This year, Ghana is experiencing a marked increase in the frequency of unpredictable weather events.
South Africa: historic visit of the royal couple from the Netherlands
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday.
The Dutch royal couple was on a state visit, at the invitation of the President, to strengthen ties and partnership between the Netherlands and South Africa.
Ramaphosa spoke of the conflicts currently dividing the planet, deploring the thousands of deaths and many injured:
“Our resolve to build a peaceful and equal future is being tested and reconciliation and healing are sorely needed. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the devastating events unfolding in Israel and Palestine have saddened many of us and have made us fear for the future of international cooperation and for our common aspiration to achieve a world without conflict."
King Willem-Alexander praised South Africa's fighting spirit to end apartheid and the country's commitment to reconciliation:
"After the breakdown of colonial ties, a sense of kinship remained, but it was not until the 1960s that a broad awareness of the injustice against the black population emerged in the Netherlands . Our country engaged in the fight against apartheid, a fight that was successful thanks to people like you.”
This is the Dutch royal couple's first state visit to South Africa. At the end of this trip which lasted 3 days, the sovereigns will visit the cape tomorrow, and will be received by the mayor of the city, Geordin Hill-Lewis, and the Prime Minister, Alan Winde.