VRA Dam Spillage: Lower Manya Krobo MCE urges leaders to disseminate emergency preparedness plan

The MCE for Lower Manya Krobo District, Simon Kweku Tetteh, has urged traditional and community leaders to actively share the details of the Volta River Authority’s Emergency Preparedness plan to ensure safety during the rainy season.

He made this call when addressing leaders of the various groups, assemblies and electoral areas at the Volta River Authority’s EPP sensitization held in Krobo Odumase of the Eastern Region.

The meeting was part of the VRA’s annual community engagements and sensitization with stakeholders and communities within the Authority’s areas of operation on its emergency preparedness plan.

The VRA in the past 3 weeks has been carrying out a series of community engagements aimed at having all 10 districts found south of the Akosombo dam duly informed about its emergency preparedness.

The discussions have focused largely on the results of field studies to ascertain the current levels of wetness in these districts at present and what a precautionary discharge from the Akosombo dam will present.

The analysis shows that all the water if discharged with precaution will stay in the banks of the river. However low-lying areas, wetlands and structures constructed in the banks of the river will see minimal wetness.

These areas identified include the Ada East district in the Greater Accra region, Keta district, Anloga district and the North Central and South Tongu districts in the Volta region.

The deliberations with the community leaders are aimed at fostering strong community relations while forging a common understanding of steps to take to preserve life and property during the rainy season.

The Lower Manya Krobo MCE stressed that it was important to be armed with all necessary information regarding VRA’s activities and plans while reiterating the need for the various leaders to ensure the information gets to all community members.

“This information is not just for your personal consumption but for onward distribution to the people within your assemblies and electoral areas,” he stated.

The Manager for Corporate Communications and Branding, Francis Abban, indicated that there was no cause for worry as no decision has been taken by VRA to discharge water from the Akosombo dam with precaution.

He explained that the VRA was being proactive with its public education while the reservoir intake levels are monitored (which are lower now than the levels at this same time last year).

On his part, the Divisional Chief of Kpong, Nene Kpabitey, assured the VRA of the community’s willingness to work with the Authority and contribute its quota for the safety of the community and the country at large.

“We are all ready to support and contribute to ensure the safety of everyone”, he said.

He explained, that it was crucial for the traditional leaders to collaborate with VRA to avert any consequences should there be a need for a precautionary discharge.

The engagement was also graced by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Selorm Kwame Tibu and the Lower Manya Municipal NADMO Director, Zakariah Adams.

The leaders of the VRA delegation included Ben Sackey, Director Environment and Sustainability Development; Sam Fletcher, Manager Corporate Social Responsibility; Francis Kobina Abban, Manager Corporate Communications and Branding; and Rhoda Arthur, Principal Community Relations Officer.