By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Sege, May 02, GNA – The Volta River Authority (VRA) has engaged key stakeholders in the Ada West District on emergency preparedness and environmental management in anticipation of possible spillage from the Akosombo dam.
The sensitisation programme formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community resilience and minimise the impact of flooding in downstream communities.
Officials of the VRA warned against indiscriminate construction in waterways and flood-prone areas, noting that such practices continue to expose lives and property to significant risk during spillage events.
They observed that some areas previously designated as danger zones had now been converted into residential settlements, thereby increasing vulnerability.
Mr Philip Tetteh Padi, an Engineer and Manager in charge of Integrated Water Resources Management at the VRA, explained that the authority annually engages municipal and district assemblies along the lower Volta basin to enhance preparedness.
He said the engagements were aimed at equipping communities to respond to two key risks: controlled water spillage from the dam and the unlikely event of a structural failure.
“These engagements are meant to ensure that assemblies and communities are well-informed and prepared to respond effectively to any emergency situation,” he stated.
Mr Modjifa Tanihu Jerry John Foreigner Mills-Nkrumah, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ada West, underscored the importance of the exercise, describing it as timely and critical.
He noted that the district had experienced the effects of previous dam spillages, which disrupted livelihoods and displaced residents in several communities.
“For us in Ada West, this is not a theoretical discussion. We have lived through the realities of spillage, and the impact is still fresh in our minds,” he said.
He cited communities such as Lolonya, Afiadenyigba, Wokumagbe, and parts of the Songor enclave as areas that had been affected by past flooding incidents.
Mr Mills-Nkrumah emphasised the need for strict adherence to spatial planning regulations, warning that continued encroachment on waterways and flood-prone lands would worsen future disasters.
“We cannot continue to allow developments in areas we know are vulnerable. If we do, we are only setting ourselves up for avoidable problems,” he cautioned.
The DCE also highlighted the need for improved public education, noting that many residents lacked adequate understanding of flood risks and appropriate response measures during emergencies.
He called for intensified awareness creation to ensure that critical information reached farmers, fisherfolk, and households in low-lying communities.
Mr Mills-Nkrumah further stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among institutions, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), security agencies, traditional authorities, assembly members, and community members.
“Disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility. No single institution can manage it alone,” he stated.
Participants at the workshop were taken through flood risk zones, inundation mapping, and emergency response strategies to enhance planning and decision-making at the local level.
The programme also emphasised environmental management, urging authorities and residents to adopt sustainable practices to reduce vulnerability.
Residents were advised to comply with safety guidelines and avoid activities that could obstruct waterways or worsen flooding situations.
The sensitisation forms part of broader national efforts to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters and strengthen preparedness among vulnerable communities along the Volta Basin.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Opesika Tetteh Puplampu, GNA