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Mahama Demands VRA CEO, Deputies Resign if Akosombo Disaster Strikes Again!

VRA CEO, Deputies Must Resign or Be Sacked If Akosombo Dam Spillage Disaster Reoccurs – Mahama Warns

President John Dramani Mahama has warned the CEO and deputies of the Volta River Authority (VRA) they must resign or be sacked if there is another flood caused by poor dam management. In his national address on May 7 about his government’s 120-day plan, the President said he had kept his promise to investigate the 2023 flooding caused by water released from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams and prevent future occurrences.

He explained that the Energy Minister had set up a five-member committee, chaired by Ing. Kirk Koffi, a former Volta River Authority Chief Executive, to find out what led to the man-made disaster and also develop a controlled spill flood plan. The committee has suggested engineering solutions to stop future flooding.

These include making a proper plan for releasing dam water and building better systems to manage floods in affected areas. President Mahama cautioned that recommendations should be implemented immediately. “I further indicated that if they are not properly implemented and another destructive VRA flooding occurs like 2023, the VRA CEO and deputies must resign or be sacked,” he added. The government has set aside GH₵242.5 million to support those affected by the flooding. The flooding happened after the VRA started releasing extra water from the dams on September 15, 2023. This continued until October 30, 2023, and caused major floods, especially in the Lower Volta area. According to government records, over 88,000 people and more than 5,000 homes were affected by the floods.

The staff of Comboni Hospital even had to evacuate their quarters to seek shelter under a pavilion. Many homes and farmlands were destroyed, and several schools were forced to shut down. The flooding incident sparked national outrage over the inability of the VRA authorities to give timely warnings to residents who were in close range to the dam.

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