The rampant spread of aquatic weeds in Ghana’s inland waters poses a growing threat to hydroelectric power generation and water transport, with the 160-megawatt Kpong Hydroelectric Power Plant in Akuse among the most affected facilities.
Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, says coordinated efforts are needed to tackle the problem.
He called for stronger collaboration between the Volta Lake Transport Company Ltd and the Volta River Authority (VRA), which manages both the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
Dr. Kamal-Deen made the remarks during an inspection of weed-clearing efforts at Kpong in the Eastern Region. The visit formed part of the Inland Water Assessment Mission and included a review of work done by skimmer vessels previously handed to VRA to support the cleanup.
“The overall result we are seeing is weeds being cleared in tons, allowing the generation of power that, if not produced, could cripple the nation,” he told Joy News.
He described the weed removal as a key pillar of Ghana’s blue economy, adding that its benefits go beyond energy.
“It clears the way for fisheries to thrive—another crucial part of the blue economy. It also supports tourism. If someone visits and the water is choked with weeds, it ruins the attraction. And finally, it opens safe passage for canoes and other watercraft,” he said.
Dr. Kamal-Deen expressed satisfaction that his tenure is strengthening partnerships among key stakeholders to boost the inland water economy. These efforts, he added, align with the government’s 24-hour economy agenda, especially in communities along the lake corridor.
Since the skimmer vessels were handed over to the VRA more than two years ago, tons of aquatic weeds have been removed. The cleared biomass is now feeding a small but growing circular economy.
“There’s a company in the value chain that processes the weeds into compost. Some is sold, while part is given free to local farmers,” Dr. Kamal-Deen explained. “In some areas, the weeds even serve as livestock feed, which shows their economic value.”
Currently, two skimmer boats are operating at Kpong and one at Ada. However, the Maritime Authority believes new, more efficient specifications may be required to boost performance.
On safety, Dr. Kamal-Deen stressed the importance of continued clearance operations. “As long as the weeds grow, we’ll keep clearing them to eliminate the risks they pose to transport—whether by ferry, barge, or canoe.”
The inter-agency cooperation between the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Volta River Authority, and the Volta Lake Transport Company is expected to deepen.
The site visit was led by Volta Lake Transport’s Managing Director, Angela Oforiwaa Alorwu-Tay, and VRA’s Technical Director, Hakeem Tijani, along with their respective teams.
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