MTN Ghana presented a GH¢20,000 cash donation to the Mepe Traditional Council. But beyond the financial contribution, the telecommunications giant used the festival as a platform to engage the community in economic revitalisation, digital inclusion, and post-disaster healing.

Presenting the cheque on behalf of the company, Ransford Gyan, MTN’s Regional Manager for Eastern, Volta, and Oti, praised the resilience of the people of Mepe and reaffirmed the brand’s long-term commitment to their development.

“We share in your pain and salute your resilience, unity, and determination,” Mr. Gyan said.

“Afenorto represents togetherness — and MTN is here to connect you not just digitally, but socially and culturally.”

The flooding that followed the Akosombo Dam spillage last year displaced thousands in Mepe, destroying homes, farmlands, and livelihoods. Recovery has been slow, with community leaders appealing for sustained support to rebuild infrastructure and restore economic stability.

For Torgbe Kwasi Nego VI, Mankralo of Mepe, MTN’s gesture is both symbolic and practical.

“This donation comes at a crucial time as we work to rebuild our lives and infrastructure. It is heartening to know that corporate institutions like MTN understand our needs and stand with us,” he said.

MTN’s engagement at the festival went beyond the ceremonial. The company set up customer service and sales points, ran mobile money fraud awareness campaigns, and introduced residents to new digital services, blending cultural celebration with practical community empowerment.

The Afenorto Festival, celebrated annually by the Mepe Traditional Area, draws natives home from across Ghana and the diaspora. Traditionally a period for reflection, reunions, and development discussions, this year’s edition doubled as a platform for resilience — uniting tradition, modern connectivity, and corporate partnership in a shared vision for Mepe’s future.

Source: Ivy Priscilla Setordjie – Mepe, Volta Region

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According to the residents, the lack of these essential facilities has long hindered business growth and caused inconvenience for traders, drivers, and passengers alike.

The current market is small, poorly equipped, and unable to accommodate the growing number of traders and customers. Meanwhile, the absence of a dedicated lorry station forces vehicles to park haphazardly along the main streets, causing congestion and posing safety risks.

Speaking to Adom News, some local traders explained that modernizing the market would not only improve hygiene but also attract more customers and encourage traders from neighboring communities to do business in Mepe.

“We need proper stalls, storage facilities, and washrooms. Right now, we struggle during the rainy season because the place gets muddy and uncomfortable,” they lamented.

Mr. Maxel Segbe, branch chairman of the GPRTU Mepe branch, also expressed frustration, noting that the lack of a proper lorry station makes loading and offloading passengers difficult.

“A well-structured station will make our work easier and improve safety for everyone,” he said.

In a separate interview, the Assembly Man for Mepe electoral area, Mr. Ahorsu Amos Borlor, urged the North Tongu District Assembly and the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development to prioritize the project, stating that these facilities will enhance trade, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the local economy.

He believes that a modern market and lorry station will transform Mepe into a vibrant commercial hub in the Volta Region.

Source: Odehyeba Owusu Job

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Unlike the usual display of bright kente cloths and vibrant drumming, this year’s festival saw residents and visitors clad in red and black, symbolizing grief and solidarity with the bereaved families.

The atmosphere was marked by solemn traditional rites, dirges, and moments of silence to honor the victims.

Speaking at the durbars to mark the occasion, the Mankralo of Mepe, Togbui Kosi Nego VI, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing the loss as “a national tragedy that has left a scar on our hearts.”

He called on the government to ensure thorough investigations into the crash and to provide adequate support for the affected families.

“This year, our celebration is not about merrymaking. It is about unity in grief and the reaffirmation of our bond as a people in times of sorrow. Our hearts and prayers are with the immediate families, the NDC party, and the entire country for the tragic loss of our eight compatriots who passed on while discharging their patriotic assignment. May the Almighty God continue to console all of us,” Togbui Kosi Nego VI stated.

The Afenortor Festival, which celebrates the rich cultural heritage and history of the Mepe people, is usually a time for reunions, cultural displays, and community development discussions. However, this year’s edition served as both a memorial and a call for improved safety measures in Ghana’s aviation sector.

Story filed by Odehyeba Owusu Job

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The anniversary of the disaster, marked by a gathering at the Degorme camp in Mepe, underscored the glaring gaps in disaster management and recovery efforts.

Despite occasional visits by government officials, tangible support remains absent. Over 200 individuals still live in makeshift shelters, battling exposure to harsh weather and health risks.

The MDA’s expenditure of over GH₵100,000 on camp maintenance is a testament to the community’s resilience but also highlights the absence of state intervention.

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is leading efforts to seek legal redress. His initiative raises questions about governmental accountability and the mechanisms in place for disaster compensation.

The community’s demands, including compensation, housing, and psychological support, are not extraordinary—they are basic expectations in the wake of such disasters. The lack of response points to systemic inefficiencies that need urgent attention.

The disaster has reignited calls for a comprehensive national policy on disaster management. Stakeholders argue that such policies must prioritise prevention, swift response, and adequate post-disaster support.

Mepe’s proactive steps—conducting detailed data collection, maintaining the Degorme camp, and initiating vocational training projects—set an example of grassroots resilience. However, such efforts cannot replace the need for robust state action.

As Mepe remembers its darkest hour, the question lingers: Will the government rise to the occasion, or will the cries of displaced people fade into oblivion?

Chairman of the Mepe Development Association (MDA), Fabian Mawulenu Kojo, in his speech, highlighted the lingering struggles of the affected and the perceived failure of state intervention.

He said the government and its allied agencies should adequately and properly engage the Mepe Development Association, the traditional council and all other relevant stakeholders within the locality in all its engagements for the successful implementation of any of its intended interventions.

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The items included ten thousand pieces of exercise books, cartons of crayons, pens, pencils amongst other assorted learning resources.

Yaw Acheampong Boafo, the National President of the Ghana Bar Association, who led a four-member delegation to make the donation, mentioned that their gesture formed part of their unwavering support to enhance teaching and learning in the enclave after many students suffered the negative impacts of the floods.

He stated that, the students have a promising future, and it was necessary to support them to study hard and achieve their goals.

Mr Boafo indicated that, the GBA was poised to ensure that the lives of students and teachers in the flood-affected areas were protected.

“These students are our future leaders. Many would become great lawyers as we are, so we need to protect and provide for them to secure the future of the country; same applies to our teachers,” he explained.

He pledged the Ghana Bar Association’s commitment to offer a continuous support to the schools in the enclave to enhance quality education.

Mrs Isabella Ayimey, the North Tongu District Education Director, received the items and expressed gratitude to the GBA for their support.

She gave the assurance that the items would be used purposefully.

Mrs Ayimey however called on corporate Ghana to keep extending their support to the schools in the district.

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Togbe Nego’s request followed the visit by the Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah to break grounds for the construction of resettlement houses for the affected flood victims of the Akosombo and Kpong Dam spillage.

Togbe Kwesi Nego noted that, when the river defense wall is erected, it will help mitigate the risk of future flooding in the area.

The Amankralo also appealed for rehabilitation of town roads which has been destroyed by the floods.

He stated that, though the Sector Minister is not in charge of road construction, he could lobbying for it to be done.

Togbe Kwesi Nego also indicated that, Mepe town needs a proper drainage system and they would be very happy if the Mr. Oppong Nkrumah would help them.

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A steel bridge located at Saikope in the Mepe area, crucial for connecting the North Tongu town, of Juapong, to the Central Tongu capital town, Adidome, has collapsed.

According to reports, the collapse occurred when a fully loaded trailer carrying salt attempted to cross the bridge.

Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities resulting from the incident.

In response, the District Chief Executive, Osborn Devine Fenu, has issued a public advisory via his personal Facebook Page.

He urges motorists to take an alternate route through another Mepe town, Dadome, to access Adidome and Juapong safely.

Even though investigations are yet to commence into the actual cause of the collapse, the DCE has alleged overloading of the truck, saying The report have it that a fully loaded trailer carrying salt, likely surpassing the recommended maximum load of 25 tonnes, traversed the bridge, resulting in its collapse. Fortunately, the driver and the mate are reported to be safe.

While the DCE’s claim is a possibility, the point needs to be made that long before the collapse of the bridge, authorities had stationed a warning sign, signaling road users of a “weak bridge ahead” of them.

There is also a sign that says the maximum load limit of the bridge is 25 tons.

Until investigations conclude, it will be difficult to say which of the two phenomena has collapsed the bridge – weak bridge or excess tonnage.

Below is the DCD’s update and advisory as shared on his personal Facebook wall:

Urgent Notice

We woke up to the distressing news of another sudden accident— the collapse of the steel bridge at Saikope-Mepe along the Adidome to Juapong Road.

The report have it that a fully loaded trailer carrying salt, likely surpassing the recommended maximum load of 25 tonnes, traversed the bridge, resulting in its collapse. Fortunately, the driver and the mate are reported to be safe.

We have promptly informed all relevant stakeholders to ensure swift action is taken. The urgent need for a new bridge at the location is abundantly clear.

In the interim, we advise all motorists to utilize the diversion via Dadome to Adidome and Juapong.

In times like this, it’s crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. This is a challenging situation, but we trust in our collective ability to address it effectively.

This too shall pass!

The work involves the construction of new roads in the Mepe RC-St. Kizito enclave, which was terribly damaged by floods as a result of the Akosombo dam spillage.

Mr Mahama cut the sod for work to begin on Saturday after a generous donation he made to support the flood victims last Tuesday.

Ibrahim Mahama dispatched his engineers, workers, and equipment in fulfillment of a pledge he made to the chiefs and people of the affected communities during his donation of relief items.

Sharing the good news on Facebook, his aide, Rafik Mahama, announced these special works are being carried out at absolutely no financial cost to the affected communities or any other institution.

The sod cutting had in attendance the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and also all the chiefs and queen mothers of the Mepe community. Mr Mahama was represented by his aide.

Rafik eulogised helping the needy and giving back to society is one act his boss does with passion and dedication.

He added that they’re working to extend similar support to those affected by the dam spillage in the Oti Region and the Northern Regions.

The Chiefs thanked Mr Mahama and his team for honouring the promise, adding that the dredging will allow the water to move freely from the flooded areas and help them recover from the disaster.

The MP for the area, Mr Ablakwa also thanked Ibrahim Mahama and his team for this unique intervention.

He said they will forever be grateful to him for helping them with massive relief items and also now helping them to dredge the stagnant contaminated flood waters and also create pathways for the flood waters to be re-channeled.

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The action is in the wake of the Akosombo dam spillage, which has displaced scores of Mepe residents and cut their source of livelihood.

Mr Dumelo presented the items, including eggs, cans of milk, milo, bottled water, fruit juice, among others, at the constituency office on Friday.

This act of benevolence comes a few days after he donated relief items to flood-stricken areas in the Volta region.

John Dumelo expressed empathy for the students, acknowledging that he recognises the hardships the situation has brought upon them.

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The move, according to the JHS 3 Mathematics teacher, was to maintain the intellect and mental state of the students, who were hard-hit by the floods.  

Mr Adotey Collins Yeboah, in an engagement with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Wednesday, October 18 at the St Kizito Senior High School, a centre earmarked to host some affected victims in the area, said he equally lost all valuables to the floods.  

He said the disturbing situation had compelled him to initiate measures to engage the affected students, who are camping at the base.  

“I am teaching them mathematics for now because we have nowhere to go. I have lost virtually everything in the floods because of the Akosombo Dam spillage.”  

Mr Adotey however, reiterated his full commitment to engage more students who are seeking refuge at the centers.  

“These are JHS three students for now. Let’s see how things will unfold,” he added.  

Mr Ahorsu Borlor Amos, the Assembly member for Mepe, told the GNA the affected residents, who were residing at the various safe havens needed more support “to make living a bit bearable for them.”  

He lamented the slow pace of assistance from donors and other well wishes.  

Mr Ahorsu, however, expressed optimism that more philanthropic activities would be extended to the area soon.  

Some affected victims, in an interaction with the GNA, complained of inadequate foodstuffs, water, proper place of convenience and other things.  

All affected schools and some churches, including the New Covenant Apostolic Church in the area, have been submerged since the flood disaster, which they said had brought severe hardship to them. 

Several individuals, organisations and government officials including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, have since visited the affected areas to assess the situation.

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Currently, more than 500 households are grappling with the inundation as residents desperately attempt to salvage their belongings.

The floods have already claimed properties valued at thousands of Ghana Cedis, including numerous buildings.

LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVT INACTION

Despite the displacements starting a week ago, both local and central government authorities have shown little proactive response, apart from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) collecting data.

This lack of action raises concerns about the potential for a significant disease outbreak due to the precarious state of portable water supply in the affected areas.

Many residents are resorting to drinking directly from the river, heightening the risk.

APPEAL FOR SUPPORT

Mepe’s assemblyman, Ahlotsu Amos Borlor, expressed frustration over the absence of government initiatives to address the situation so far and called for urgent relief items such as mosquito nets and food to avert diseases like cholera.

The electricity supply to the town has also been disrupted due to the fear of electrocution, adding another layer of distress for the affected residents.

Additionally, there are complaints about a lack of clear communication from the Volta River Authority (VRA), responsible for the dam water spillage.

Residents are requesting timely updates from the VRA to better anticipate the worsening situation, especially during the night when flooding intensifies.

In response to the growing crisis, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of North Tongu mentioned ongoing discussions between his office, NADMO, and the VRA to formulate a plan addressing the distressing situation of the affected residents.

As of the latest update, residents continue to move to higher ground in an attempt to escape the rising waters.