A stakeholder’s workshop was held on 1st April, 2019 to brief members on the Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Management Plan put in place by the Volta River Authority (VRA) for the North Tongu District.
At the meeting, the facilitators held a discussion on the plan to dredge weeds from the Volta river and requested for the co-operation of all the stakeholders to make the project a successful one. They reiterated the negative impact the overgrown weeds have on the community such as the spread of Bilharzia among others. They also spoke about a control programme for schistosomiasis.
During the workshop, it was made known that the VRA will now be collaborating with the Health Directorate of the district to fight against some common water borne diseases affecting communities in the district.
There was also identification of safe havens in the district to protect inhabitants in event of the collapse of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams. These safe havens are considered as the safest places to go to save lives.
The following locations were stated as safe havens: Anyakpo, Volo D/A Primary School, Dadome D/A JHS, Mafi Atitekpo, Afaode Gborkpo D/A School, Aveyime RC Primary School, Catholic Hospital (Battor), ST Kizito Senior High School (Mepe), Klamadaboe and Kpotokope. These locations will be mounted with signages indicating that they are safe havens.
After the VRA workshop came to a close, a tour was taken to Agbetikpo and Mepe St. Kizito to commission safe haven signages for those locations.