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The degree of the damage caused by the overflow from the Akosombo Dam has been attributed by the minister for sanitation and water resources, Freda Prempeh, on the refusal of nearby inhabitants to leave before the spilling.
Over 20,000 people in the Volta and Greater Accra regions have been uprooted as a result of the dam spillage’s disastrous effects.
While expressing sympathy to those who had been impacted, the minister stressed the expense the government would have to expend to help the victims.
Freda Prempeh said during a conference held in Accra by Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and the customers it serves that “The Akosombo dam spillage, even though Volta River Authority, National Disaster Management Organisation, the Water Resources Commission, came together to educate the people in the community and did simulation exercises with them even at Mepe, yet, they refused to leave. They did not want to be evacuated, and they stayed there till the end when we started spilling.”
“Unfortunately, look at what is happening, and the government has to spend millions of money on relief items, and education. The water in the whole area is contaminated and the Ghana Water Company and Water Resources Commission will have to spend millions of money to treat the water before we can pass it through our pipes.
“So a stitch in time saves nine. Sometimes it’s difficult to accept the situation, but we will plead with all of you to accept it as it is. Water is life and is essential to everything”.
Following the spillover of the Akosombo dam, numerous communities in the Volta and Eastern regions have lost around 26,000 residents.
On September 15, 2023, the VRA started controlled spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams since the Akosombo reservoir’s inflow pattern and water level had been steadily rising.
The overflow has caused homes to be inundated for residents in South Tongu, North Tongu, Central Tongu, Asuogyaman, and a number of other areas.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to assisting those affected by the spillage from the Akosombo Dam in rebuilding their lives and getting back to normal.
According to information provided by the Volta River Authority (VRA), more than GH20 million has been spent on supplies for households impacted by the spill from the Akosombo Dam.
According to the VRA, the funds were used to buy food, bedding, and medical supplies.
Engineer Ken Arthur, the VRA’s deputy chief executive officer, stated that the agency is making every effort to improve the situation of the more than 36,000 people affected by the spill.
“VRA has also committed GH¢20 million to alleviate the adverse impacts on the affected communities as a result of the unavoidable spillage of excess water into the Akosombo Dam. We wish to assure the public that VRA will continue to monitor the situation and provide the needed support together with NADMO [National Disaster Management Organisation] and the other relevant agencies to ensure the well-being of the affected communities. We reiterate that no one will be left behind in this emergency situation.”
Engineer Ken Arthur also denied allegations that the VRA neglected to alert locals before the spillage.
“We took all the required precautions to ensure that the Dam was not harmed, and we had all the emergency readiness measures in place to notify the people who might be impacted before the spill incident began. I can confirm that this is the cause of the lack of casualties because those who could have been impacted had enough time to leave the hazardous areas.
According to the Volta River Authority (VRA), GHC 1.5 million worth of medicines have been given to some of the communities that have been flooded as a result of the spillovers of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.
The VRA claims that personnel from its Environmental section are assisting the victims in the impacted communities by providing them with relief.
“We will continue to ensure that we deliver help to all those who are affected, including those who are in safe havens and those living with friends and family. At a press conference in Accra to inform the public of the VRA’s current efforts to address the effects of the dam spillage, Ing. Obeng Kenzo, Deputy CEO, Operations & Engineering, stated that the hospital team is also in the community assisting with health concerns and attempting to bring relief in this situation.
Added him: The settlements have also received large water tanks. To fill these tanks, we are bringing water in from the nearby settlements. People can also sip sachet water, which is also provided.
Additionally, with the Ministry of Energy’s assistance, we were able to import roughly 5,000 solar lamps, which were distributed to the impacted towns and safe havens without electricity. We will remain in the impacted areas for the duration of the time to ensure that the aid arrives. To date, the various villages have received roughly 40 portable toilets from us.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
