Scores displaced in parts of Volta Region after Akosombo dam spillage

Parts of the Volta region have flooded as a result of spillage of the Asosombo dam. Many residents in the three Tongu Districts and Anlo of the Volta Region have been displaced as a result.  

The Volta River Authority (VRA) is conducting this spillage due to a “consistent rise in the inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo dam.”

Those who said they lost their properties are currently homeless and appealing to the government to come to their aid.

On September 12, the VRA said it had duly notified its key stakeholders of this development.

But the residents living close to the river are packing out what they can salvage while others who have their property inundated are crying for help.

In October 2022, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) rescued over 300 victims following the spillage of the Weija Dam by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).

According to a Deputy Director of NADMO, Abu Ramadan, their immediate focus was to rescue stranded victims.

He also said his outfit is working to “expand and open estuaries so that the water can run into the sea so that we can see the levels drop. That is the main focus for now.”

The assembly created about three estuaries at Bojo Beach to facilitate the movement of the water into the sea.

However, it warned residents to brace themselves for the worst following the spillage.

NADMO was also given support by the Marine Police and the 48th Engineers Regiment.

NADMO also urged stranded victims of the Weija Dam spillage to reach out through the 122 emergency hotline for immediate evacuation or other forms of help.

“It is a platform that is reliable. Anytime the call goes through, somebody will pick up,” Mr Ramadan assured.

Over one thousand people at Weija and its environs in the Weija/Gbawe Constituency were displaced following the spillage of the Weija Dam by the Ghana Water Company.

According to many of the affected residents, they were not given any prior notice before the spillage by the GWCL,  meant to release excess water from the dam.

Meanwhile, GWCL said it was an emergency because the threshold of 46 feet water level came up to 48 feet which threatened safety, informing their decision to spill.

The affected in the Weija episode sought shelter overnight at churches and schools.