Residents of Accra living downstream of the Weija Dam went through hell recently, when the dam that supplies potable water to the western parts of the capital city was partially opened to discharge excess water. Though Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) claimed it did inform the relevant stakeholders before the dam was partially opened, many homes were still flooded, with one person reportedly losing his life.
It is an undeniable fact that house owners in these areas knew they were building on waterways, yet ignored all warnings and went ahead to construct the residential structures. But since the city authorities think demolition of these buildings is out of the equation, the best thing to do now is to protect them against the perennial flooding. This is apparently why the GWCL always informs the residents before the spillage is carried out to, at least, minimise the impact it will have on the people.
It is upon the basis of this that The Chronicle commends the Volta River Authority (VRA) for also issuing advance notices to people living and farming along the Volta River, about its intention to spill water from both the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
According to a statement released by the VRA yesterday, due to consistent rainfall, and the consequent rise in the level of the Akosombo Reservoir over the past two weeks, the Authority may commence controlled spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams in the next few days.
As of Tuesday, October 26, 2022, the statement continued that the reservoir elevation stood at 273.70 feet and was expected to reach the maximum operating level of 276 feet in the next week or two, if the current rate of inflow continued.
In line with the requirement of our Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and Standard Operating Procedures, the Authority has duly notified its key stakeholders of the intended spillage. The Authority, therefore, wishes to caution all residents, especially farmers along the Volta River and downstream of our dams, to be on high alert.
Like the Weija Dam, the controlled discharge from the Akosombo Dam will definitely result in flooding of homes and farms, but the situation will be mitigated with the advance notice they have given.
Akosombo and Kpong Dams are the engines driving the economic development of this country. Their collapse will, therefore, spell doom for mother Ghana. The VRA, therefore, has no option than to spill excess water from the dam when it becomes necessary to do so and save it for future generations.
However, to avert the Weija episode, where the people claimed ignorance of the earlier warning issued by the GWCL, The Chronicle advises the VRA to send its personnel to the communities along the river to educate them about the impending exercise.
Issuance of statement and radio announcements are good, but not all people listen to radio or read newspapers. This is why it is important the VRA goes to the communities in Information vans to inform them about what it intends doing.
Like Weija and surrounding communities in Accra, all the communities along the Volta River, especially from Kpong through Sogakope to Ada, are low-lying areas.
The flood situation can, therefore, be worse if it is not well managed.
