VRA bares teeth over encroachment on Akosombo Dam Zone

The Volta River Authority has once again warned against sale/purchase and encroachment of lands within the Volta Gorge Protection Zone of the Akosombo Dam.

This is the second time this year the power generator is warning against the phenomenon.

There has been an upsurge in encroachment of lands which falls within the buffer zone by developers mostly the hospitality industry.

The 5,149.29 hectares protection Zone spans through the West Bank of the Akosombo dam by the Adjena, Anyaase, Dasaase, Pese, Gyakiti, Sawa townships, on the East Bank by Mpakadan and Dodi in the Akwamu, Anum and Boso Traditional Areas in the Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region of the Republic of Ghana, on the North East by the Dodi Stool Land on the North West by the Pese Stool land on the South East by the Akosombo Dam and the South West by the Adjena Stool land.

According to the VRA “In furtherance to this, the entire Volta Gorge measuring approximately 5,149.29 hectares has been designated as a protection zone hence no development can be carried out in this area without express permission from the Authority.”

The Authority, therefore, cautioned all prospective land purchasers to desist from purchasing lands within the Gorge Area as no development would be permitted. Any person who commences development activity would be prosecuted and the project demolished.

The Volta River Development Act (1961) Act 46, mandates the VRA to plan, execute, manage and ensure the protection of the lake side area of the Akosombo Dam.

The VRA recently developed a framework for Aquaculture Development on the Volta Lake aimed at regulating fish farming activities on the Volta to help protect the Volta lake.

The approved policy Document enjoins an aquaculture operators existing prior to April 2017 are required to enter into a “Water Lease” by October 2017.