President John Mahama has warned the leadership of the Volta River Authority (VRA), declaring that any future flooding caused by poor management of dam spillage will result in the dismissal of the Authority’s top executives.
In a national address on his 120th day since assuming office, he said the government has completed its probe into the 2023 flood disaster caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.
The disaster displaced tens of thousands, destroyed homes, and crippled livelihoods in parts of the Volta and Eastern regions.
“To address the man-made disaster caused by the VRA’s spillage and prevent future occurrences, we promised to initiate a probe and take steps to compensate victims,” the President stated.
“The government set up a committee chaired by Ing. Kirk Koffi, a former VRA chief executive.”
President Mahama revealed that the committee’s report included specific recommendations to prevent another catastrophe.
“The committee has recommended strategies to prevent future occurrences, including establishing a Controlled Spill Flood Plan and implementing downstream engineering solutions for flood management,” he said.
He did not mince words in stating the consequences of failure.
“I have directed that the recommendations be implemented. I have further indicated that if they are not properly implemented and another destructive VRA flooding occurs, like in 2023, the VRA CEO and deputies must resign or be sacked,” he warned.
The President also announced that steps to compensate the flood victims have begun.
“The 2025 budget has made provisions for the compensation payment, and a team has been put together to coordinate the compensation exercise,” he said.
“I call on the chiefs and people of the affected areas to facilitate the smooth and peaceful execution of the exercise.”
President Mahama, who addressed a wide range of other governance issues, stressed that his administration would not tolerate avoidable disasters caused by institutional negligence.
“The days of indifference are over,” President Mahama stated, adding, “We will act, and we will hold those responsible to account.”
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