Agona Swedru, July 4, GNA - A large tract of cash and food crops in the Agona West and East Districts of the Central Region has been destroyed by floods which hit the area on June 20. The chiefs in the area revealed this at a media conference to brief the public and non governmental officials on the extent of damage caused by the flood.

According to the chiefs, some shortage of food could hit the Agona State and other districts that rely on the area for their foodstuffs needs, in the next few months, because agricultural activities had been badly affected. Mr John Kofi Obeng, spokesman of the Agona Development Committee, who addressed the conference, on behalf of the chiefs, said hundreds of hectares of maize, cassava, plantain, cocoyam, cocoa and vegetable farms along the River Akora, which is the food basket in the area, got flooded when the river overflowed its banks.

He said property valued at more than GHC12 million were destroyed in the districts, adding that, it would be extremely difficult for the people to cope with the situation.

Mr Obeng said rivers and streams in communities like Agona Swedru, Agona Duakwa, Nsaba, Agona Kwanyako, Nyakrom, Abodom, Nkum and Asafo burst their banks and flooded about hundreds hectares of farms. The Conference was attended by: The Paramount Chief of Nyakrom Traditional Area, Nana Okofo Katakyi Nyakoh Eku X, Nana Ampim Darko, Kwanyakohene, Nana Kojo Amoakwa, Duakwahene, Nana Yamfo Asuako, Asafohene and Nana Etuah, Nkumhene and other prominent citizens of the Agona State. Mr Obeng said the break down of the three bridges, which linked the Southern and Northern parts of Agona Swedru had brought commercial activities in the area almost to a halt and untold hardships on the people. He appealed to the Government to declare a state of emergency in the Agona State for both local and foreign philanthropists to go to their aid. Mr Obeng called on the Government and the Minister of Roads and Highways, to as a matter of urgency, to reconstruct the bridges to restore the movement of vehicles in the Municipality.

He suggested that the Nkubem Bridge should be re-constructed first because that could be done at a lesser cost. The spokesman appealed to the government to establish medical centers at vantage points to provide screening and first aid to the victims of the flood. About 14, 658 people have been displaced and property valued at more than GHC12,752,750 at Agona Swedru and Agona Nyakrom were destroyed following the recent flood.