President John Dramani Mahama has issued a serious warning to the leadership of the Volta River Authority (VRA), asserting that any recurrence of the catastrophic flooding from the Akosombo Dam, similar to that of 2023, will result in their resignation or termination.
In a national address delivered on Wednesday, May 7, to commemorate the first 120 days of his administration, Mahama emphasized the ongoing initiatives aimed at averting a repeat of such a disaster.
He revealed that a technical committee, led by former VRA Chief Executive Ing. Kirk Koffi, has been assigned to investigate the incident and propose long-term mitigation measures. Mahama stated, ‘This administration established a committee chaired by Ing. Kirk Koffi, a former VRA CEO.
The committee has put forth recommendations to prevent future incidents, which include the creation of a controlled spill flood plan and the implementation of downstream engineering solutions for flood management.’ The President underscored the necessity of promptly acting on these recommendations.
‘I have instructed that the recommendations be executed without delay,’ he affirmed. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Mahama made it clear that the VRA leadership would be held responsible for future failures.
‘I have also indicated that if these measures are not effectively implemented and another devastating flooding incident occurs, akin to 2023, the VRA CEO and their deputies must resign or be dismissed,’ he asserted.
The 2023 spillage from the Akosombo Dam resulted in significant damage to downstream communities, displacing thousands and provoking widespread criticism regarding insufficient planning and inadequate emergency preparedness.
Through this resolute directive, President Mahama has indicated his administration’s commitment to enforcing stricter oversight and adopting proactive strategies in managing Ghana’s hydroelectric infrastructure in light of escalating climate-related challenges.
