VRA announces potential controlled spillage of excess water from Akosombo Dam

The Volta River Authority has announced its intention to engage with stakeholders regarding the potential controlled water spillage from the Akosombo Dam.

Underscoring the need for stakeholder engagement, a communique dated July 5 and signed by the Deputy Chief Executive (Services) of the VRA, Ing. Ken Arthur, emphasized the VRA's crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the dam and ensuring the safety of the communities.

Over 40 stakeholders, including the Minister for the Interior and all the assemblies within the dam's catchment areas, are expected to participate in the engagement.

"The Volta River Authority (VRA) intends to commence engagements regarding the potential controlled spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam. This precautionary measure is crucial to maintaining the structural integrity of the dam and ensuring the safety of our communities," the notice read.

The meeting aims to discuss the potential implications, mitigative measures, and the need to disseminate timely information to the communities ahead of the spillage.

"We propose to engage you and the relevant team to discuss the potential implications, mitigative measures, and information dissemination."

This new directive by the VRA is to prevent any further disaster from the spillage of excess water. A similar incident in September 2023 led to devastating flooding in surrounding areas within the Volta, causing havoc to properties.

In the aftermath of the spillage, over 88,000 people and over 5,000 homes, according to government figures, were badly affected by the flood.

MAG/OGB