At a meeting with Volta River Authority (VRA) officials and security and emergency services officials at the Ministry of the Interior in Accra, Hon. Henry Quartey, Minister for the Interior urged VRA to ensure proper stakeholder engagement, sensitisation and public safety in case of spillage of the Akosombo Dam stressing the importance of prioritising public safety in the exercise.
Hon. Henry Quartey also urged VRA to further engage Members of Parliament from the affected areas as part of their sensitisation drive, to ensure a coordinated approach to managing the impact should the excess water from the Akosombo Dam be spilled.
The meeting forms part of VRA’s sensitisation efforts to inform stakeholders and the public in case of the spillage of Akosombo Dam and measures being taken to mitigate its impact on affected communities.
The VRA team, led by Ing. Kenneth M. Arthur, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Services, presented a detailed roadmap for the spillage, highlighting the interventions and precautions to ensure the safety of communities downstream.
According to Ing. Arthur, VRA has identified hotspot communities that are likely to be affected by the spillage and has begun sensitising them to avoid fear and panic. He added that the authority has also taken precautionary steps, including engaging with stakeholders and sharing updates with the public regularly.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Immigration Service, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Ghana National Fire Service, and Ambulance Service, demonstrating the collaborative effort to ensure the safety of Ghanaians.
The VRA’s proactive approach to managing the spillage has been commended by the Minister and stakeholders, and the authority has assured the public of its commitment to sharing regular updates on the situation.
This meeting demonstrates Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Ghanaians, and the VRA’s dedication to responsible management of the Akosombo Dam.