Hohoe Floods: President Mahama Donates Relief Items, 5,000 Bags Of Cement To Victims

President John Dramani Mahama has donated relief items to residents displaced by recent floods in Hohoe in the Volta Region, and announced a donation of 5,000 bags of cement to support the rebuilding of collapsed houses.

The President visited the Hohoe Zongo on Friday to assess the extent of damage and commiserate with affected families after the River Dayi overflowed its banks following days of heavy rainfall.

The floods displaced more than 5,000 residents and destroyed homes and properties in low-lying communities in the municipality.

President Mahama linked the unusual flooding to climate change, which he said has made weather patterns unpredictable.

“There’s something we call climate change. And so it’s leading to what we call extreme weather phenomena. This is not something that happens every year. But now, at times, the rain falls excessively, and sometimes there’s a drought,” he said.

According to him, continuous rainfall in neighbouring Togo increased the volume of water in the River Dayi, leading to the flooding of communities along its banks, particularly the Zongo area.

He said the relief items from the Presidency were to cushion affected residents as they recover from the disaster.

The President further disclosed that the owner of Dzata Cement, whom he described as his younger brother, has pledged 5,000 bags of cement to help victims rebuild their homes.

President Mahama tasked the Member of Parliament, the Municipal Chief Executive and the Volta Regional Minister to ensure fair distribution of the items to only those directly affected.

He also commended traditional leaders, local authorities and agencies including NADMO for their response, and conveyed sympathies from his wife, Mrs. Lordina Mahama, to the victims.

Meanwhile, residents have appealed for long-term measures to tackle the root causes of flooding in the area to prevent future occurrences.