The VRA has announced plans to renovate the Kpong Dam and spillway gates in Akuse, Eastern Region, after over 40 years since its construction.
The announcement was made at a meeting with stakeholders from Akuse, Torgome, Fodzoku, Natriku, and nearby areas, which included chiefs, assembly members, and opinion leaders.
The meeting focused on getting ideas from the communities about their concerns and how to lessen the project’s effects.
Kwaku Wiafe, VRA’s Director of Engineering Services, told the Ghana News Agency that they were informing stakeholders and community members about the planned Kpong Dam restoration project.
He said they wanted to fix the dyke because it was filled with rocks.
Water waves have moved some rocks along the coast over the past 40 years.
He said they had initially planned to fix it, but then realized that adding more rocks would turn it into a new dam and make it last longer.
He said that the dam at Akuse only allows water from Akosombo to pass through. If the water is coming from Akosombo, the spillway must be ready to let it pass, or else it will overflow. This is why we must ensure our spillways are very reliable given climate change and other problems.
Improving the stability of the dyke and reliability of the spillways is crucial for the dam’s safety. This enhances overall safety, protects downstream communities, and ensures a reliable power supply for Ghanaians.
The director announced that VRA would fix the poor road from Okwenya Junction to Akuse for trucks and cars to use.
He said he made the decision after receiving complaints from VRA staff, Akuse natives, and other drivers. The road would be upgraded to a top-quality road.
Some stakeholders raised concerns about fish species becoming extinct and water pollution, but Mr. Smith addressed their worries. Wiafe assured that the work would not result in water pollution.
It would not impact fishing since they were not planning to use the fishing landing site, and the haulage trucks would not be permitted to exceed a speed limit of 15 kilometres per hour. The road would be watered often to control dust.
Mr. Emmanuel Darko Thompson, a civil engineer at VRA, said they planned to repair the upstream dykes and spillway gate during a presentation.
He said the goal was to restore the gate, not replace it, focusing on repairing the corroded parts.
He said they were planning to restore the dykes with 150,000 cubic meters of rocks.
He said that fixing the dam’s dykes is important to prevent a collapse that would affect the entire nation, productivity, and economic growth.
Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, the assembly member for Akuse, asked the VRA to expand the road restoration project to Asutuare.
