The Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has visited residents affected by the devastating mudslide at Adaklu-Helekpe in the Volta Region, describing the incident as a serious warning that demands urgent action to protect lives and the environment.
The minister visited the community on Thursday alongside the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, and the District Chief Executive, Jerry Yao Ameko, following Wednesday evening’s disaster.
The mudslide struck shortly after 6 p.m. when heavy rainfall triggered massive rocks, mud, and debris to roll down the nearly 600-metre Adaklu Mountain into sections of the community, causing destruction and panic among residents.
At least five houses and nine vehicles were buried, while nearly 50 goats and other livestock were killed. Two people trapped beneath the rubble were rescued alive by residents before emergency teams arrived at the scene.
The delegation also visited injured victims receiving treatment at the hospital and interacted with displaced residents currently staying with relatives and sympathisers.
Speaking during the visit, Mr Agbodza expressed relief that no lives were lost despite the scale of destruction.
“We are grateful to God that none of our people lost their lives, and the injuries recorded are not critical. Thankfully, this happened at night. If it had occurred during the daytime, when many people are usually on the mountain farming and carrying out other activities, the situation could have been far worse,” he said.
The Adaklu MP noted that the latest mudslide was the second major incident involving the mountain in recent years and warned that the community could face even greater danger if urgent measures are not taken.
“I honestly do not want to return here for a third disaster of this kind,” he stressed.
Mr Agbodza called for wider community discussions on restricting farming activities around the mountain, warning that environmental degradation and indiscriminate tree cutting may be contributing to the instability of the area.
According to him, efforts must now focus on restoring the ecology around the mountain while exploring safer economic alternatives such as tourism that can benefit residents without endangering lives.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Gunu, also cautioned residents against going near the affected area, describing it as an active disaster zone.
“The whole place has now become a disaster and security zone. Anybody visiting the area is being advised to be very careful because we cannot fully guarantee the safety of residents and visitors around the affected community,” he said.
He further warned that with heavier rains expected in the coming months, the possibility of additional mudslides remains high unless immediate interventions are carried out.
Authorities have since directed residents living close to the mountain to temporarily evacuate while geological engineers assess the stability of the area.
For many residents, the latest incident has revived painful memories of a similar rockfall disaster in 2017, deepening fears about the long-term safety of communities living beneath the Adaklu Mountain.
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