VRA pledges not to abandon communities impacted by the recent Akosombo Dam spillage

On September 15, 2023, the Volta River Authority (VRA) initiated a controlled spill from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams due to heavy rainfall in the Volta River catchment area. The rising water level at the Akosombo Dam necessitated this action to prevent overtopping and protect the dam’s structural integrity.

However, as of the beginning of October, the water level continued to rise rapidly, surpassing the maximum operating level of 276 feet. Consequently, the VRA increased the spill rate starting from October 9, 2023, resulting in increased flooding in various communities in the North, South, and Central Tongu Districts, as well as the Ada East District.

Throughout this period, senior members of the Volta River Authority and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) have been actively present in the affected areas.

Their presence has focused on assessing the spill’s impact, delivering significant quantities of relief items, and conducting educational initiatives on community safety.

VRA and NADMO have offered, and continue to provide, evacuation services to safer areas with higher ground for the affected individuals.

The VRA has assured residents and communities affected by the dam spill that they will not be left behind as the distribution of relief items intensifies.

According to the VRA’s CEO, Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, these communities are immediate neighbors of the authority, and they are committed to ensuring their well-being.

The VRA, in collaboration with NADMO, has already provided relief items, including canned food, rice, sugar, toiletries, boats, and hot meals estimated to be worth millions of Ghana cedis to flood victims.

In addition, the VRA is supplying tanker water services and potable drinking water to the victims.

The VRA also plans to provide healthcare services to all flood victims, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist the affected communities.

For the past 13 years, the VRA has consistently organized annual stakeholder sensitization workshops for districts in the communities potentially impacted by spill activities or dam breaches. These workshops educate residents on the likely impacts and appropriate actions to take upon receiving notifications.

This year, heavy rainfall in the Volta River catchment area led to a swift rise in the water level at the Akosombo Dam. To fulfill its mandate of maintaining the dam’s integrity and preventing overtopping, the VRA initiated a controlled spill.

As the rains persisted and the water level continued to rise, surpassing the maximum operating level, the VRA was compelled to further increase the spill rate from October 9, 2023.