The five-member committee tasked by President John Mahama to probe the flooding caused by spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams in 2023 has concluded that the exercise was needed to protect the dams.
However, the report has faulted lapses in the procedure and management of the spillage, which displaced nearly 40,000 people across Ghana’s Volta Region and some parts of the Eastern Region.
“While the decision to release water was technically justified, it [the report] highlighted areas for improvement in managing flooding within flood zones downstream of Akosombo,” Chairman of the Committee on Akosombo and Kpong Dams Spillage, Ing. Kirk Koffi, noted in a cover letter accompanying the report forwarded to the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) had initiated controlled spillage from the two dams between September 15 and October 30, 2023, citing rising water levels that threatened the structural integrity of the dams.
This resulted in widespread flooding and the displacement of communities along the Volta River.
The havoc resulted in an estimated 38,624 victims being displaced, with the worst-affected areas identified as North Tongu, Central Tongu, South Tongu, Ada and Kpong jurisdictions.
The floods destroyed structures, with an estimated 1,247 homes, 94 schools and 17 health facilities brought down by the waters, as economic losses are projected at $78 million in agricultural damage alone.
The government provided relief items and supported rescue efforts, with VRA and NADMO coordinating the response.
In the 110-page document presented to the minister, “The report emphasises that the spillage was necessary to safeguard the integrity of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams”.
“The lessons learned from this event should inform and enhance future spillage protocols,” it added.
Additionally, the committee strongly recommended adequate compensation for the communities affected by the upstream and downstream floods, in accordance with the procedure they outlined in the report.
“It is crucial that regulations in the flood zones, defined by the Committee as a 1:50 years return period for the short to medium term, equivalent to discharges of 497,936cfs (14,100 m3/s), i.e., 37% above the 2023 spill volumes downstream and above the 280ft contour upstream, are strictly adhered to, ensuring the safety of our citizens in the face of climate change uncertainties”.
The committee also advocates for implementing advanced technologies to improve flood forecasting and better assess potential impacts on flood zones.
The report is intended to guide the management practices of the Akosombo Dam in the future and ensure that the country is better prepared for similar or worse spillage.
In a related development, President Mahama confirmed that compensation for victims was being processed, with initial payments expected in the coming days.
He made this known on Wednesday as he addressed the nation as part of his 120-day social contract progress update.
The government is expected to release a detailed action plan based on the committee’s findings, with a focus on preventive policies and victim support to curtail future flood disasters.
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