Hope For Akosombo Dam

The water level in the Akosombo Dam will rise this year. This follows an announcement by the Meteorological Service Department (MSD) that rains have set in at the catchment areas of the Volta River. A meteorologist with the MSD, told newsmen newsmen in Accra that the rains have started falling heavily in Northern Ghana and Burkina Faso from where the Black and White Volta which form party of the tributaries of the Volta River flow.

As a result of the recent low level of water in the Akosombo Dam, the Volta River Authority (VRA) was forced to rely on the Aboadze Thermal Plant, which increased the cost of producing electricity. The Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) was also forced to close down some of its pot lines, resulting in retrenchment of some of its workers.

Explaining the rain pattern for this year, Mr. Narh said southern Ghana has entered the peak season with monsoon rains very intense and typical. This is unlike last year, which experienced short spells. “Last year, the monsoon rains were not classical, but this year, there have been long periods of continuous rains, very typical of the monsoon situation”. He said the Northern parts of the country would pick up in July and reach its peak in August.