Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, has urged the Volta River Authority (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.
This was at a meeting with officials of the Volta River Authority and security emergency services in Accra.
The meeting forms part of measures that the Authority was putting in place to keep the public informed in the event it becomes necessary to spill the Akosombo Dam to mitigate its impact on affected communities.
The Minister urged VRA to engage Members of Parliament from the affected areas as part of its sensitisation drive to ensure a coordinated approach to managing the impact should the excess water from the Akosombo Dam be spilled.
The VRA team, led by 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 him, VRA has identified hotspot communities that are likely to be affected by the spillage and has begun sensitising them to avoid fear and panic, adding that the Authority has also taken precautionary steps, including engaging with stakeholders and sharing updates with the public regularly.
The VRA’s proactive approach to managing the spillage was commended by the Minister. The Authority has also assured the public of its commitment to sharing regular updates on the situation.
This meeting demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Ghanaians and the VRA’s dedication to responsible management of the Akosombo Dam.
Patricia Ayeh & Edem Agblevor, ISD
