Regional News of Monday, 19 April 2004

Source: GNA

NADMO appeals for support for Akuapem disaster victims

Mamfe-Akuapem (E/R), April 19, GNA - The Akuapem North District Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr Seth Okyere, has appealed to Akuapem citizens resident outside the area to come to the aid of disaster victims in Mamfe and Amanokrom. Mr Okyere made the appeal at a press briefing at Mamfe on Sunday, after the initial assessment of a disaster, caused by a rainstorm, which hit the town and Amanokrom last Thursday.

He said as a result of the rainstorm, seven aluminium pylons, which transmit high voltage electricity to the area collapsed leading to some part of the Akuapem Ridge stretching from Mampong to Adukrom to be cut off electricity supply.

Mr Okyere said when he and the District Chief Executive, Dr (Mrs.) Eugenia Danquah-Quist went round to assess the situation, it came to light that 55 private homes in Amanokrom and two schools in the town had had their roofs ripped off.

At Mamfe, 45 private houses, two schools and a teachers' quarter also had their roofs ripped off and property wealth millions of cedis were destroyed and large tracts of farmlands in the area destroyed. He said 25 people who were injured in the storm had been treated and discharged at the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong.

Mr Okyere said at the moment, arrangements had been made for those displaced to either stay with their relations or move to classrooms and church buildings, adding that the District Secretariat of NADMO, together with the Akuapem North District Assembly had provided them with foam mattresses and blankets.

He said his secretariat would require drugs, roofing sheets and food items to support the victims of the rainstorm.