The Government of Ghana through the Obuasi Municipal Assembly (OMA) has provided GH¢2.7 million in relief items and cash to the 600 people displaced by the recent rainstorm at Koffekrom in the Obuasi Municipality.
The gesture which was presented to the Chiefs and people of Koffekrom by the Chief Executive of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, Elijah Adansi- Bonah, is to help reduce suffering and aid recovery on the part of victims.
About 60 houses were affected by the devastating rainstorm, which occurred on Thursday, March 28, with scores of people injured in the process.
Whiles no life was lost, the Obuasi Senior High Technical School and the AngloGold Ashanti JHS were severely hit.
Presenting the money and items to the affected people, MCE Adansi- Bonah said government was absolutely shattered by the level of destruction, describing it as unprecedented.
He said after series of visitation and engagements with the chief and the Disaster Management Committee, a roadmap was developed on how to compensate affected people.
“After the disaster struck, I had to liaise with relevant agencies including NADMO, the Chief and the Disaster Management Committee of Koffekrom and the Member of Parliament for Obuasi West, Kwaku Kwarteng, to arrive at a more befitting compensation for the victims.”
The MCE presented 60 bags of roofing sheets, 450 wood and 50 bags of cement to those who were yet to reroof their buildings whiles a cash amount of GH¢150,000 was presented to individuals who had already reroofed their buildings to make up for their losses.
In addition to the donation, the MCE said government through the Assembly has committed to settling medical bills of those who were injured and have been treated while it is in the process of procuring 88 bags of rice to others.
In response to questions from the media on situations at Obuasi Sec Tech, the MCE said the Assembly has so far begun reroofing the Dormitory 4 block which was ripped off, adding that plans are afoot to also attend to the Science Laboratory, Assembly Hall and other classroom blocks affected by the disaster.
Call for more support
The MCE commended efforts by the Chief of Abadwum, Professor Amoako Tuffour, Edubiasehene Oguahyia Oduropanin Birikorang I and other individuals who have made donations towards supporting the victims.
He appealed to individuals, groups and corporate bodies to also offer support to the disaster victims.
The beneficiaries commended the Municipal Chief Executive and the government for the swift intervention.
Solomon Fordjour, who was given GH¢10,000 cash, said the donation had come as a welcome relief to him, stressing that he had a torrid time reroofing his house.
“I lost hope, I thought it was all over for me after the disaster. I had to borrow so much from the bank to reroof my house. This money will help me pay off my debt,” he added.
Madam Regina Asiamah, on her part, said the disaster had a psychological impact on her.
She said she lost all her belongs after the rainfall.
She emphasized that the donation will go a long way to help her recoup her losses.
