Akosombo Dam spillage: We won’t leave anyone behind – VRA assures affected residents

The Volta River Authority (VRA) has promised residents and towns impacted by the recent Akosombo Dam leakage that no one would be left behind as the authority ramps up rescue efforts.

According to the VRA’s Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, the impacted villages are the authority’s direct neighbors, and the authority would do all necessary to restore their comfort.

“VRA vows to stand with these communities until the spilling ends. We are committed to intensifying the relief supplies for the affected communities,” a statement by the VRA said.

So far, in partnership with NADMO, the VRA has given flood victims with relief materials including as canned food, rice, sugar, toiletries, boats, and hot meals worth millions of Ghana cedis.

In addition, the VRA is providing tanker water delivery services for affected localities, as well as potable drinking water to any victims who require it.

The Volta River Authority began a controlled spill from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams on September 15, 2023. This occurred owing to severe rainfall in the Volta River watershed, which caused the water level at Akosombo Dam to increase quickly. As a result, the leak was required to keep the dam from overtopping and to safeguard the dam’s integrity.

However, by early October, the water level had continued to rise fast, reaching the maximum operational level of 276 feet. VRA increased the spill rate beginning October 9, 2023, in response to heavy rainfall and a sustained rise in the water level.

Increased flooding occurred in a number of settlements in the North, South, and Central Tongu Districts, as well as the Ada East District.

Since the spill occurred, high-level representatives of VRA and NADMO have been present in the affected regions not just to analyze the spill’s impact, but also to give significant amounts of relief materials and to conduct community safety education efforts.

The statement added,” In line with its already existing evacuation preparation plan, VRA intends to provide healthcare services as well for all the flood victims”.

As part of its mandate to maintain the integrity of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams and prevent the overtopping of the dams, VRA started a controlled spill from the dams.

As the spills continued, the rains continued to pour heavily and the dam’s water level rose rapidly, exceeding the maximum operating level of 276 feet. VRA was then forced to increase the spill rate even further from October 9, 2023.