Agbodza visits Adaklu-Helekpe mudslide victims, calls for urgent environmental action

Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Adaklu, visited victims and displaced residents on Thursday at Adaklu-Helekpe in the Volta Region. He described the incident as "a serious environmental warning that requires immediate intervention."

The visit followed Wednesday evening's mudslide, which was triggered by heavy rainfall from the Adaklu Mountain. The mudslide buried homes, vehicles, and livestock. The delegation included the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, and the District Chief Executive for the area, Jerry Yao Ameko. The delegation also visited injured residents receiving treatment at the hospital and interacted with displaced families. The mudslide occurred shortly after 6 p.m., destroying at least five houses and burying nine vehicles. Nearly 50 goats and other livestock were reportedly killed, while two trapped residents were rescued alive. Mr. Agbodza said, "We are grateful to God that none of our people lost their lives and the injuries recorded are not critical. Thankfully, this happened at night. If it had occurred during the daytime, when many people are usually on the mountain farming and carrying out other activities, the situation could have been far worse." Mr. Agbodza warned that this was the second major disaster involving the mountain in recent years.

Mr. Agbodza called for discussions on restricting farming activities around the mountain. Mr. Gunu cautioned residents to stay away from the affected area, describing it as an active disaster zone. Authorities directed residents living close to the mountain to evacuate temporarily pending geological assessments of the area. Mr. Agbodza stated, "I honestly do not want to return here for a third disaster of this kind."