We have not experienced the usual harmattan in December and January (so far).
Instead, we are experiencing some rains. At this time we should have expected some tributaries of the Volta River to be drying up. This is not happening with the current weather. Should I be worried?
Last year in September, there was spillage of water from the Akosombo dam. The effect was devastating to some communities. I saw it myself. I couldn’t have missed it from my ‘base’ in Battor. If the Volta continues to have so much water from the northern parts of Ghana and Burkina Faso, spillage from the dam will be inevitable this year.
How do we prevent the devastation we experienced last year?
1. The Volta River must be dredged and dredged well. If there is spillage of water from the dam, the water will flow quicker into the sea.
2. Buildings and constructions in waterways must be demolished/cleared.
Can we do that? Will individuals allow their buildings to be demolished in the interest of the bigger society?
Who gave permission for buildings to be put up in waterways? How do we correct this going forward?
3. The Volta River Authority must be on top of its game. They should be able to anticipate how much water will get into the dam this year. The timing of a spillage is crucial. The experts must take control and decide the best time to spill and how much water to spill to reduce the effects on the communities to be affected.
4. Emergency response teams must not be dissolved. They must be alert and on the ground, ready for action.
5. As a nation, we should have medium to long term plans to harvest water upstream of the Akosombo dam (for irrigation and other purposes). Then we shall not spill water that is needed in many villages in some parts of the year.
I am not a prophet of doom. I am a scientist. I believe the proper use of science can prevent and solve problems.
By Dr. Kofi Effah
The author is a medical doctor in Catholic Hospital, Battor in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region of Ghana.