Chiefs To President Akufo-Addo – Deal With Delays In Resettlement Of Fodzoku Community
The Chiefs and elders of the Fodzoku traditional area have made a renewed call on the government to as a matter of priority, make good its promise to build the remaining housing units for the Fodzoku community following the release of 3,400 acres of land for the construction of the Akuse power generation dam (Kpong dam project) in 1977.
According to the Volta River Authority (VRA) website, www.vra.com, the tender for the Kpong dam project was carried out on 30 November 1976, and the groundbreaking ceremony took place on 30 November 1977.
By 1 July 1982, the then Head of State, former President Jerry John Rawlings, officially inaugurated the project and by 15 December 1982, all generating units of the project were commissioned.
Addressing President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House today, 8 February 2022, when they paid a courtesy call on him to announce the planned program for the performance of the final funeral rites of the late paramount chief of Fodzoku, the late Togbega Afum Asare III, under whose reign the Kpong dam project was initiated and completed, spokesperson for the delegation, Dr. Joshua Tsatror-Mordy, said forty (40) years after the project was commissioned, the VRA has failed to keep its part of the bargain which led to the release of the land to the State for the construction of the Project.
He noted that the “failure of the VRA” and their “related actors” to build the remaining housing facilities for members of the Fodzoku community whose buildings were submerged” by the building of the dam, is a “major area that needs government’s immediate intervention”.
Commendation/Projects
He commended Akufo-Addo’s government for the rehabilitation of the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Scheme, indicating that the USD$34 million dollars’ project has already started achieving its main aim which was to promote an “all-year-round farming” and in effect, boost “farming activities within the area (Fodzoku) and beyond”.
The delegation also mentioned the railway expansion project, the establishment of a police station, the free SHS program, the school feeding program and the rehabilitation of the Juapong Market, as some projects that have and continue to be of benefit to the people of the Fodzoku traditional area.
President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo, in his response, noted that the paramount chief of the Fodzoku, Togbega Afum Asare III, after serving his people for 74 years, from 1945, when he was enstooled at the age of 21, till 2019 when he died, deserves to be honored by the nation.
As a sign of respect to him and the dedication he exhibited towards the construction of the Kpong Dam, President Akufo-Addo noted that together with the Volta Region Minister and another relevant sector Ministers, they will look into the resettlement request made by the delegation and deal with the matters tabled.
“Many of the matters you have raised are legitimate matters. They will be looked into by the Regional Minister and myself” President Akufo-Addo said.
President Akufo-Addo assured the delegation that he will do well to be present at the ceremony to climax the performance of the final funeral rites of the late paramount chief to pay his last respect. The event according to the delegation is scheduled to take place from 4th to 9th April 2022.
From Wilberforce Asare