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| Flood victims fleeing their homes |
An estimated 922 farmers
totaling 6000 farm families have been greatly affected by the recent floods in
the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. Additionally, 1,912 acreages of
farmlands with crops such as yellow melon, millet, cowpea, and soya beans were
not spared by the floods. At Namilyara, a newly created settlement in the
outskirt of Pwalugu was identified as one of the worst affected areas with
about 1000 acreages of farmlands destroyed by the flood waters. 500 farmers in
the same community had their farms inundated by the floods. Other communities
that were affected include Pwalugu, Yinduri, Tola, Bingu and Nuu suffered the
same fate. A 62 year old commercial farmer, David Adakabra who farm along the
banks of the White Volta told Radio Ghana that the recent flood experienced in
most parts of the region surpassed all expectation exceeding what took place in
1994 as well as 2007, where many were displaced and killed by the said years.
The 1993 Regional Best Farmer said though many lives were not lost as compared
to the ensuing years, this year’s flood situation has been catastrophic
considering its devastating nature. The floods, he moreover lamented, had taken
a heavy toll on farming activities depriving farmers of their source of
livelihood. According to him, farming is the mainstay of the people; therefore
government should expedite action in alleviating their plight. He suggested to
Radio Ghana that farmers especially those embarking on dry season farming
should be supported with farm machinery including pumping machines to
facilitate their activities. Mr.
Adakabra welcomed the proposed construction of a multi- purpose hydro
dam at Pwalugu to harvest excess water from the White Volta and called on
government to initiate measures to curtail the perennial flood in the region.
To him, it is high time Ghana became abreast with the latest technological
advancement practiced in most developed countries such as India for the purpose
of irrigation. This way, farmers would be able to embark on all year round
farming. Meanwhile, the MP for Talensi, Mr. John Tia Akologo with some
officials of NADMO had toured some of the affected flood communities to
acquaint himself with the situation and assess the impact of damaged caused to
human lives and crops. His first point of call was at Namilyara where he
witnessed large tracks of farmlands been destroyed by the floods. Though the
flood has subdued to an appreciable level, crops that were submerged have
turned died. At the Northern Star Tomato Factory at Pwalugu, Mr. Tia Akologo
inspected some affected machines at the site. He was met on arrival by the
accountant of the factory, Samuel Adu who took him round to inspect some
affected machinery, particularly the distribution panel, which supplies power
to other parts of the plant. Mr. Akologo Tia in response to some request made,
pledged to forward the complaints made to the appropriate institutions for
prompt action to be taken. The factory which is said to begin production
December this year, is in dire need of vacuum pumps to facilitate its
processing work.
GBC
END
IA/
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