Accra June 29, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, said 926 people were displaced and no life was lost in the June 5, 2011 rains, which caused the Akora and Ayensu rivers to overflow their banks.

Answering questions on the floor of Parliament in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, said 93A total of 926 people were displaced; 350 at Nampong and 576 at Ofoase but no life was lost." He commended the Police, the Ghana Fire Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation officials for evacuating victims of the flood.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the entire community of Ofoase was virtually washed away leaving only a school, clinic and a few houses, which were on upper grounds.

At Nampong, 54 houses were washed away and 40 acres of farmlands at Nampong and 60 acres at Ofoase were destroyed.

The Minister said four tents and other relief items were provided for the Ofoase victims and three tents and other relief items were provided for the Nampong victims.

"As a long term measure, the assembly is currently negotiating with the chiefs to provide land on higher grounds to permanently resettle inhabitants of the affected communities," he said.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the main bridge on a river in Agona Swedru and its environs that was destroyed as a result of floods was being repaired by the government.

He said Zoomlion Company was asked to collect debris caused by floods and a bridge over the Akora River at the business centre of the Agona Swedru, destroyed by floods, was being rehabilitated.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said new culverts or bridges would be constructed to direct the flow of water from Akora River at Nkubem, and drains and retaining walls would be built to direct flow of water from the Ankora River at Nkubem.