The Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Osei-Adutwum, has expressed gratitude to the international community for supporting students and teachers affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage to restart classes.
“We deeply appreciate the World Bank and other development partners for their invaluable assistance in addressing the needs of those affected by this disaster,” he said.
The Minister, who said this at an inter-ministerial press briefing in Accra, added that 42,526 students and 1,561 teachers in 121 schools were affected by the disaster in the North Tongu, Keta, Anlo, South Tongu, Central Tongu, Ketu South, Kpando and South Dayi Districts in the Volta Region.
Dr Osei-Adutwum said their generosity has allowed over 42,526 students and 1,561 teachers in 121 schools across eight districts to resume their academic work.
He said the disruptions in electricity and water supply as well as damage to infrastructure have posed significant challenges to the resumption of schooling in affected areas.
“We have ensured that all those impacted have received the necessary support to return to their studies,” he added.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mr Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, said the Authority was committed to restoring normalcy as quickly as possible and ensuring that affected communities have the resources they need to rebuild and move forward.
“We share the pain but are determined to ensure that everyone is restored to their normal lives in the shortest possible time,” he added.
Mr. Antwi-Darkwa added that with the support from the Ministry of Energy, VRA has distributed more than 5,000 solar lamps to areas experiencing electricity outages, as well as ongoing work to reconnect electricity and water supplies and construct new access roads.