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| (Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia) |
Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia has called on stakeholders to consider re-engineering the Akosombo Dam in order to manage spillage and minimize its devastating impact on communities. He emphasized the necessity of safeguarding the dam, as well as the lives, livelihoods, and properties threatened by the effects of climate change.
During his visit to flooded communities in the South and Central Tongu Districts caused by the spilled water from the Akosombo Dam, Dr. Bawumia addressed the need for long-term solutions to handle the changing climate conditions.
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He challenged the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to explore strategies that can manage spillage from the dam without flooding the immediate areas. The Vice President suggested the possibility of establishing pipelines that could divert the water far into the sea, although he acknowledged that further technical input from engineers is required to explore this idea effectively.
Dr. Bawumia highlighted the significance of finding innovative ways to tackle the dilemma presented by the increasing water levels in the dam, which is a consequence of climate change. He underscored the urgency of rethinking the management of spillage to prevent its detrimental impact on communities.
Referring to the last occurrence of such devastating spillage, which happened 60 years ago and led to the migration of some riverine communities to their current settlements, Dr. Bawumia expressed his solidarity with the more than 26,000 displaced residents across the eight affected districts.
READ ALSO: Dam Spillage: If I Were Here For Your Votes, I shouldn't Be - Akufo-Addo To Victims.
The government's response to the crisis extends beyond providing immediate relief items. Dr. Bawumia mentioned the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate actions. The VRA, NADMO, and the Ministry of Agriculture have been mobilized to provide relief and support the restoration of livelihoods for farmers displaced along the riverbanks. The focus is on implementing sustainable approaches to help victims rebuild their lives in the long term.
Torgbi Kofi Tosu III, the Manklalo of Bakpa Traditional Area, revealed that around 40 houses across 30 communities in the area have been submerged by the floods. He appealed for relief items to aid the affected victims, who are struggling to meet their basic needs in these challenging times, including water, food, clothing, and medical supplies.
The call for re-engineering the Akosombo Dam demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to mitigate the effects of spillage and foster resilience in the face of climate change, underscoring the government's commitment to safeguarding communities and their livelihoods.
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