Investigative Committee on Akosombo Dam Spillage Presents Report to the Minister for Energy and Green Transition.

Investigative Committee on Akosombo Dam Spillage Presents Report to the Minister for Energy and Green Transition.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Accra– In a significant development regarding the Akosombo Dam spillage, the investigative committee presented its report to the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, in Accra. The report marks an important step in addressing the aftermath of the spillage that has had far-reaching impacts on communities along the Volta River.

The committee, established on March 13, 2025, under the leadership of Ing. Kirk Koffi, was tasked with the responsibility of investigating the circumstances surrounding the September 2023 spillage and its subsequent effects. The approach underscores the government's commitment to comprehensively assess the situation and formulate effective mitigating responses.

Presenting the report to the Deputy Minister of the Ministry, Hon. Richard Gyan Mensah, Ing. Kirk Koffi stated that the decision by the Volta River Authority to spill excess water flowing the Akosombo dam in 2023 was necessary but needed a more effective control spillage floodplain to minimise the impact at downstream.

According to him, a designated floodplain should be delineated to accommodate spill discharges in the short term to medium term in response to climate change uncertainties and in the long term.

He noted that there was the urgent need for the enactment of a Legislative Instrument for the downstream floodplain (contour line) to prevent inhabitants from settling or building those areas.

Ing. Koffi said the Committee identified a lack of localized emergency preparedness as a major gap in district-level disaster response and called for the simplification of the Volta River Authority’s Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) into infographics and local languages to enhance community understanding and action.

To address the high turnover of political appointees and coordination gaps, the report he said recommends the formation of a multi-stakeholder disaster task force involving Members of Parliament (MPs), Municipal and District Chief Executives (MCEs/DCEs), and traditional authorities, supported by regular public accountability reporting.

The Committee also highlighted the importance of engineering solutions, such as improving river channels and vegetative buffer zones with mangroves downstream and bamboo plantations upstream, to increase water conveyance and reduce inundation.

Ing. Koffi said the committee proposed the development of multi-purpose safe havens on elevated land that can double as schools or community centres and be converted into shelters during emergencies. These should be complemented by psychosocial support services and feedback mechanisms to capture community experiences.

On the issue of compensation, the Committee recommended a transparent compensation process, including the establishment of district-level accounts managed by the Ministry of Finance, local MPs, and Assemblies. Verification of claims would involve traditional leaders and local opinion leaders.

“Compensation is a critical issue for affected communities, especially farmers, fishers, and business owners who have lost livelihoods,” the report emphasised.

It called for a comprehensive audit of damages and the timely disbursement of funds as budgeted in the 2025 national budget.

The report is part of broader efforts to respond to the 2023 dam spillage, which displaced thousands and caused widespread destruction in parts of the Volta, Eastern, and Greater Accra regions.

The Deputy Minister, Hon. Richard Mensah, who received the report on behalf of the Minister, Hon. John Abdullah Jinapor, thanked the team for a comprehensive work and assured that the government is committed to swiftly implementing the recommendations. "This report is a crucial tool in our ongoing efforts to address the impact of the Akosombo Dam spillage. We are determined to turn these recommendations into actionable solutions that prioritize the well-being of our citizens," he affirmed.

The Akosombo Dam spillage in September 2023 led to extensive flooding downstream, displacing thousands and affecting livelihoods. The report serves as an essential resource for policymakers and stakeholders to prevent future disasters and ensuring the safety and welfare of communities residing in the lower Volta basin.