By Ashiadey Dotse
President John Dramani Mahama has assured victims affected by the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillage that, government has allocated funds in this year’s budget to begin compensation payments, once ongoing verification and assessment processes are completed.
Speaking during his Resetting Ghana Agenda Tour in Juapong in the Volta Region on Thursday, July 16, 2026, President Mahama said government remains committed to ensuring that the compensation process is carried out fairly, transparently and responsibly.
The President noted that, the dam spillage caused severe hardship for many families, destroying homes, farms, businesses and sources of livelihood across several communities.
According to the President, government has remained actively engaged in addressing the aftermath of the disaster, which occurred in 2023. He said, government is currently completing the necessary verification, assessment and administrative procedures required for compensation payments.
“I wish to assure all affected people that government remains committed to ensuring that the process is finalized fairly, transparently and responsibly,” he stated.
President Mahama explained that the Minister for Finance has already made provisions in the current budget to commence compensation payments, adding that, should the allocated funds prove insufficient, additional resources will be provided in next year’s budget to continue the exercise.
The President said, government’s commitment extends beyond compensation, stressing that efforts are also focused on restoring livelihoods, rebuilding affected communities and strengthening their resilience against future disasters.
Nearly 40,000 people in North and South Tongu as well as Central Tongu, Shai Osudoku, Asuogyaman, Lower Manya Krobo, Ada East and Anlo districts were affected, with Mepe in North Tongu bearing the brunt. In all, about 177 communities were impacted.
The President used the occasion to update residents on the proposed Volivo Bridge project, announcing that, a new procurement process is underway to select a contractor after the previous contractor withdrew due to prolonged delays.
He expressed confidence that the procurement process would be completed before the end of the year to pave way for construction to begin.
President Mahama also encouraged young people across the Volta Region, especially in Juapong where he was speaking, to take advantage of emerging opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, logistics, digital services and entrepreneurship.
He said government would continue to create an enabling environment for economic growth but emphasized that, innovation, hard work and determination would be key to achieving lasting prosperity.
The President made the remarks during the sod-cutting ceremony for a new 24-hour market project in Juapong, which forms part of government’s efforts to promote local economic development and support communities across the country.
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