The Minister of Works and Housing has called for more funds to support the first phase of the resettlement program following the Akosombo Dam spillage.
Initially, the government allocated GH¢200 million to the Ministry to aid those affected by the spillage. However, during a stakeholder meeting, the Ministry’s Chief Director, Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei, requested an extra GH¢200 million. This additional funding is needed to cover consultancy fees and land compensation as part of the ongoing resettlement efforts.
Rev. Osei highlighted that the total estimated cost for the project is GH¢600 million. He emphasized that the Ministry needs the full amount to complete the resettlement within a year. If the project extends to two or three years, an additional GH¢200 million per year will be required.
He further stressed that the Ministry is prioritizing the affected homes and is actively seeking the necessary funds to expedite the resettlement process.
“We estimated about 600 million cedis for the project, but currently we have 200 million cedis. To complete it in a year, we need the full 600 million cedis,” Rev. Osei explained. “If it takes two years, we will need an additional 200 million cedis to make it 400 million, so we can fast-track it. If it extends to three years, we will need 200 million cedis each year. Therefore, we are requesting additional funds to complete it in a year. We have identified the prioritized homes that need to be resettled.”
The Ministry is committed to securing the necessary funds to ensure the resettlement process is completed efficiently and effectively.