VRA And Traditional Leaders Meet

The Volta River Authority (VRA) on Tuesday met traditional councils in the Akosombo area to find out the cause of confrontations between the company and the traditional councils.

The meeting at Akosombo in the Eastern Region, was attended by the Anum, Fodzoku, Boso Gua, Yilo Krobo and Manya Krobo Traditional Councils, three district chief executives and two parliamentarians.

It was also to promote a more cordial relationship between the two VRA and traditional councils and provide a forum for regular meetings to resolve any impasse and conflict that may come up in the area. It is envisaged that this will improve the developmental goals of both sides as they will be working in a peaceful atmosphere.

Dr. Jones Ofori Attah, VRA Board Chairman, said since VRA was commissioned in 1961, it has been of a great benefit to the nation. There is therefore the need for the company and the traditional councils to work together to resolve any grievances that may hinder the growth of VRA and delay the development of the Akosombo township. He said because there were no meetings between them the traditional leaders were harbouring grievances against VRA and thinking that it has not adequately discharged its social responsibility to the area.

He said the meeting should forge unity and understanding to the benefit of both sides.

Dr. Ofori Atta established a Standing Committee for complaints to be addressed for seek proper readdress. Rev. Ishmael N. Ghansah, Acting Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Resources and Services will chair the committee with support from other board members of VRA and each traditional council would have one representative. The District Chief Executives and Members of Parliament in the area will be members of the Standing Committee. This will ensure balance in the Standing Committee.

At the meeting, almost all the leaders were demanding compensation from the VRA saying that since their land was taken from them, VRA has not paid them compensation. Other problems that came up included inadequate infrastructure, lack of potable water and electricity among other relevant issues.

Those who were resettled complained of problems with the original land owners, and others of dislocation. For example the people of Manya Krobo who were mainly farmers were resettled at a place where fishing has is the occupation.

Rev Ghansah said the VRA is governed by law and does everything by the dictation of the central government. He said the compensation delayed because of ownership of the land - sometimes about five people claiming ownership of one piece of land.

Mr. Raphael D. Salawu, Executive Director of VRA Resettlement Trust Fund on the other hand said, the company had not been able to pay full compensation to the councils because most of them failed to produce documents to their property for their claims.

He said about 90% of crops destroyed have been paid for and US$500,000 is paid annually to all the 51 resettled communities.