DEGLORY GH MEDIA

The devastating spillage from Ghana’s Akosombo Dam in 2023 has been linked to three major causes, according to insights from stakeholders and experts, including a former CEO of the Volta River Authority (VRA).

1. Delayed Action and Engineering Misjudgment
   Critics argue that the VRA failed to release excess water early enough, despite warning signs of rising water levels. National Democratic Congress Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, stated that the delay in spillage significantly worsened the situation, putting the dam’s structural integrity at risk.

2. Poor Stakeholder Communication
   The VRA has been criticized for not adequately engaging communities and local authorities before initiating the spillage. North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasized that the lack of proper communication left many residents unprepared for the flooding that followed.

3. Unprecedented Inflows from Upstream Regions
   The VRA reported that the dam received over twice its normal volume of water due to heavy rainfall and upstream inflows from countries like Burkina Faso and Togo. This overwhelming influx made the controlled spillage necessary to avoid a catastrophic failure of the dam.

The combination of these factors led to severe flooding, displacing thousands and sparking widespread criticism of the VRA’s crisis management. The incident has prompted calls for improved forecasting, proactive water management, and better disaster preparedness moving forward.