UNICEF in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare collated data on child protection issues cropped up after the Akosombo dam spillage that affected the Volta Region and two (2) districts in Greater Accra Region; Shai-Osudoku and Ada East Districts Assembly. A programme that will enable both entities to develop appropriate activities to mitigate the crisis and position themselves for any future occurrence. UNICEF supported each of these districts with funds to assist them with the data collection. This programme started from May and it will end in July.
In Ada East District Assembly, twenty-five (25) communities were affected by the Akosombo dam spillage. Some within the mainland and the majority in the communities on the overbank, Azizakpe, Alorkpem, Aflive, Alorwusordeykope, Pediatorkope, Tsawetsonya, Kewuse ,Tuanikope, Kpetsupanya, Tomyikope, Agamakope, Baitrenya, Twisi Kewunor, Agbokakope, Anazame, Ayigbo, Luthese, Big Ada Kponkpopanya, Agorkpo, Anorgnya, Azizanya, Kewunor, and Adelasikopey are the communities affected by the Akosombo dam spillage in the district. Majority of the concerns from the indigens are the loss of their jobs, which are mainly farming, fishing and petty trading which has left them into poverty. They are therefore unable to provide the needed support like school uniforms, books and other academic materials for their children to continue schooling. Children have therefore had to drop out of school or find jobs to support their education and there were cases of teenage pregnancy. Over 300 cases were recorded by case workers on child and family welfare associated with the Akosombo dam spillage in the communities of Ada East District.