The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has donated GH¢132,000 in cash, food items and sanitation tools to residents affected by the recent floods in parts of the capital.
The relief package was distributed to victims in Avenor, Circle Neoplan Station, North Kaneshie and Bubuashie as part of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) immediate response to support households impacted by the heavy rains.
The support comprised GH¢130,000 in direct cash donations to the four communities, an additional GH¢2,000 to a shop owner to facilitate the removal of a structure obstructing a drainage channel, 31 boxes of cooking oil containing 372 bottles, 120 bags of rice made up of 25kg and 5kg packs, as well as eight wheelbarrows and eight shovels to aid clean-up efforts.
At Avenor, the Mayor presented GH¢50,000, 20 boxes of cooking oil, 300 bags of 25kg rice, five wheelbarrows and five shovels to affected residents.
Residents at Circle Neoplan Station received GH¢30,000, four boxes of cooking oil, 75 bags of 25kg rice, three wheelbarrows and three shovels to support both relief and sanitation activities.
The Mayor also donated GH¢20,000, four boxes of cooking oil and 100 bags of 5kg rice to flood victims in North Kaneshie, including residents of the Swanlake community and Ahonfe Close.
At Bubuashie Attico on Kanto Street, GH¢30,000, three boxes of cooking oil and 125 bags of 5kg rice were presented to affected residents through community leader Stella Yanky.
Speaking during the presentation, Mr Allotey said the donations were made on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Ernest Adomako, to provide immediate relief to victims.
He acknowledged the extent of losses suffered by residents, including damage to mattresses, food supplies, cooking utensils and other household belongings, and assured them that the Assembly would undertake a detailed assessment to provide further assistance where necessary.
The Mayor further disclosed that the AMA had deployed refuse compactors and sanitation personnel to the affected communities at no cost to support ongoing clean-up operations.
He appealed to residents to desist from dumping refuse into drains and gutters, stressing that poor sanitation continues to contribute significantly to flooding in the metropolis.
Mr Allotey also assured residents that the Assembly would continue to collaborate with community leaders and relevant agencies to clear drains, remove obstructions and implement long-term measures aimed at reducing the recurring flooding in Accra.
The Assembly Member for the Avenor Electoral Area, Alfred Asiedu Adjei, expressed appreciation to the Mayor, President Mahama, the MP and the AMA for responding swiftly to the needs of affected residents, saying the support would help many families begin the recovery process.
