The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) says it is concerned about the perennial floods in the national capital, Accra, and other major cities (Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast and Takoradi) and communities along the White Volta basin.
UTAG says they have seen the disturbing displacement of individuals and communities along the peripheries and catchment areas of the Akosombo Dam because of the spillage of the dam.
Communities along the White Volta, especially in the Northern part of Ghana, are displaced annually due to the spillage of the Bagre dam in Burkina Faso.
“This seriously impacts the shelter, health, livelihoods and general welfare of the people and the communities. We entreat and call on NADMO and the various district assemblies along the catchment areas and other agencies and development partners to assist these displaced Ghanaians urgently.
“A multidisciplinary approach to dealing with these perennial floods is recommended in the medium to long term. Also, UTAG suggests that the government expedite the construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and others along the White Volta for irrigation and other uses.
“In this regard, UTAG is ready to partner with city authorities and government to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with these perennial floods, among others, permanently,” a communique they issued after its 21st Biennial National Congress at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, from the 11th to the 13th of October 2023, UTAG said.
The flood that was occasioned by the Akososmbo Dam spillage affected communities including Mepe and Battor in the North Tongu Constituency.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the VRA, Mr Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa said that the lake is currently experiencing inflows more than expected hence the spillage is going to continue.
“We are on phase II [of the spillage] right now and it is a cycle. It is normal at this time of the year for us to experience inflows. The difference is that we are getting more than expected and to safeguard this dam means that we have to spill water, that is the standard operation for any hydro dam but the inflows that we are seeing now are in excess.
“Definitely, as the cycle goes through this will recede so we are hoping it will recede in the next time,” he told journalists on Thursday, October 12.
“The spilling may continue even though we are anticipating that the levels may drop down to phase 1, which was started on September 15 but of course, we did not have much excess as we are seeing now, this is an emergency as we have seen from the beginning.
“Whether dredging or no dredging it is an emergency. The volume of water that is coming into the lake right now which we have to throw out, it means that we need to evacuate people from wherever they are to ensure they are safe until the inflows recede,” he added.
The VRA was accused of neglecting its responsibilities in the Lower Volta Basin hence the huge impact of flood caused by spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams on communities.