The Alliance of Feminists CSOs (AFCOs) is the latest in a long line of groups and organisations to condemn the comments made by the Sanitation Minister, Freda Prempeh, concerning the flood victims in the Lower Volta Basin.
Ms. Freda Prempeh had blamed the victims of the flood for the calamity that had befallen them.
According to her, they had refused to heed warnings from the Volta River Authority (VRA) to evacuate ahead of the Akosombo and Kpong Hydro Dams spillages leading to the large scale devastation and displacement in the area.
But the AFCOs said the minister in her attempt to absolve the government and its agencies responsible for the management of the spillage, had not only "deepened the perception that the government did not take the issue seriously but has ended up making mockery of herself especially as a woman.”
Describing her comments as reckless and insensitive, the group said such statements "should not be coming from a Minister who is paid by the taxpayers including the victims of the disaster."
The Alliance further accused the minister of peddling blatant falsehoods.
The AFCOs said her claim that the flood-victims had been informed beforehand of the spillage is unfounded.
“Assuming without admitting that the people were notified as she claimed, was there a place prepared as part of their claimed simulation exercise? It is important to bring to the attention of the Minister that no simulation exercise towards disaster is complete without including temporary accommodation,” it said.
The group further faulted the VRA for failing to activate any preparedness plan to effectively evacuate residents from their homes to safe shelters.
“According to WHO, simulation exercises are done to validate and enhance preparedness and response plans, procedures and systems for all hazards and capabilities. Any simulation exercise that did not pave the way for this is useless. Or could it be the case that the simulation exercise was done with taxpayers' money and officials of VRA went back to sleep after the exercise?” the group stressed.
The Alliance of Feminists CSOs said the minister’s statement reacting to the contamination of the water and the huge sums of money to be forked out by government for its treatment are totally irrelevant.
They are therefore calling on the minister to as a matter of urgency render an unqualified apology to the victims of the disaster.
Latest Stories
-
My immediate interest in politics was inspired by Mahama Ayariga – Joyce Bawah Mogtari
8 mins -
Madina independent candidate remanded over impersonation
16 mins -
Afenyo-Markin: Bagbin’s ruling oversteps Supreme Court authority
20 mins -
Speaking truth to power; how private sector’s outspokenness led to government disengagement
21 mins -
Minority to boycott Parliament until Supreme Court ruling on vacant seats – Afenyo-Markin
39 mins -
Private sector’s high hopes shattered by NPP administration’s failure to deliver – Nana Osei Bonsu
43 mins -
Asiedu Nketiah urges Ghanaians to vote for NDC, irrespective of party affiliations
49 mins -
‘Speaker’s declaration of vacant seats sets a dangerous precedent’ – Kwaku Azar
55 mins -
Election 2024: Ghana to strengthen peace, stability – Akufo-Addo assures
56 mins -
Obuasi SHTS wins 2024 Stemnnovation competition
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo gov’t has outperformed NDC in Zongo communities – Ben Abdallah Banda
1 hour -
Ghana’s industrial sector sees mixed performances in second quarter
1 hour -
Journalists urged to avoid victim-blaming narratives in road crash coverage
1 hour -
Vote for positive human development – Nana Kwame Bediako
2 hours -
GES releases 2024/25 academic calendar for Basic and Senior High Schools
2 hours