The Volta River Authority (VRA) has announced an end to the controlled spillage from the Akosombo dam which began on September 15, 2023.
The VRA in a press statement on October 31, 2023, reiterated its commitment to ensure the continuance of its relief and rehabilitation efforts until lives and livelihoods are restored.
The VRA commended the government and all stakeholders for their relentless support.
“The Volta River Authority (VRA) wishes to inform the public, particularly residents living along the Lower Volta River and its environs that the controlled spillage from the Akosombo dam, which began on September 15, 2023, has ended.
The end of the controlled spillage notwithstanding, VRA is committed to continuing its relief and rehabilitation efforts until lives and livelihoods are restored,” parts of the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Akosombo dam-controlled spillage, which is a disaster mitigation plan, started on September 15, 2023, at a very low rate without any significant impact on the downstream communities until October 10, 2023, when six spillage gates were opened to increase the flow as water-inflow to the reservoir kept increasing and levels got close to the maximum capacity that the dam can take.
The spillage, although destructive, was a means to avoid a more catastrophic disaster. Several communities downstream remained submerged, rendering thousands of people homeless.
