Despite the damning consequences that accompanied the spillage of the excess water from the Akosombo Dam, the Energy Minister has praised the Volta River Authority (VRA) for the action.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as Napo, has told Parliament the excess volume of the water would have caused more harm than good if the Authority had not reduced the content of the reservoir.
Since the exercise was undertaken on September 15, 2023, several thousands of people along both the Upper and Lower Volta Basins have been affected with the latter being the hardest hit.
Residents have been displaced after their homes and farmlands were submerged in the dam due to the volume of the spillage.
The discharged water forced authorities to open the Kpong dam which falls beneath the Akosombo and couldn’t hold the volumes either.
Residents in affected areas have since been sleeping in school buildings seeking for support to survive despite numerous calls on the government to relocate them to the Sagleme Housing Unit.
Meanwhile, the Energy Minister says the Authority did a yeomen’s job for opening the turbines for the excess water to flush out considering the enormity of the harm it would have caused should it be left as it was.
“If the VRA had not been proactive in spilling this year, the water coming into the reservoir would have overtopped Akosombo Dam, which would have had an unimaginable catastrophic impact on the people,” Dr. Opoku Prempeh said.
The Minister acknowledged the disruption caused by the spill but insisted it was a necessary step to protect the dam and the people downstream.
He also assured the affected communities that the Government is committed to providing relief and support.
READ ALSO: Akosombo, Kpong dams spillage: Mahama adds to calls for a ‘State of Emergency’
