The Minister of Energy, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh has justified the Volta River Authority (VRA)’s decision to spill excess water from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.
According to him, but for the controlled spillage of water from the dams by the VRA, the dams would have been destroyed, leading to unimaginable effects on Ghanaians
Thousands of residents in South Tongu, North Tongu, Central Tongu, Asuogyaman, and several other areas have had their homes submerged due to the spillage.
However, Dr Opoku Prempeh emphasized that controlled spillage also led to the protection of lives.
Briefing parliament on Wednesday, November 8 on the spillage of water from the dams by the VRA, the Energy Minister said “The controlled spillage led to the preservation of lives, the Akosombo Dam and Sogakope Bridge.
“Thankfully no death has been recorded,” he stressed.
He further indicated that the VRA would spill again if need be.
“We are still observing the inflows and if it becomes necessary we will spill. If the VRA had not been proactive, the water would have overtopped the dam which would have had unimaginable catastrophe on the people,…spillage was the only option to ensure the safety of the dam.”
The Volta River Authority, VRA, began its controlled spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams on September 15, as a result of high inflows into the dams, leading to the water level exceeding its upper level.
This has therefore resulted in the flooding of some downstream communities, displacing them and destroying their property and livelihoods.