Accra: The Volta River Authority (VRA) has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, strict enforcement of environmental laws, and improved emergency preparedness to mitigate the impact of flooding and environmental degradation within communities along the Volta Lake and downstream areas. Mr. Abdul Noor Wahab, the Director of Water Resources and Renewable Energy at the VRA, emphasized the need for continuous engagement and planning to ensure institutions and communities are ready to respond effectively in times of crisis.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Wahab made these remarks during the 2026 Annual Stakeholder Workshop on the Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) organized by the VRA in Ho. The workshop, held on Wednesday, brought together stakeholders from flood-prone districts and municipalities in the Volta Region. Mr. Wahab explained that the annual engagement, consistently held since 2011, aims to sensitize stakeholders on their roles and responsibilities in managing emergencies associated with the operations of the Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Dams.
Mr. Wahab clarified that the workshop did not indicate any imminent spillage from the dams, stressing that the exercise is part of routine preparedness and stakeholder coordination. He highlighted flood-prone and high-risk areas downstream and indicated that maps of those areas would be shared with Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to guide planning and land use decisions.
He expressed concern over activities such as sand winning, encroachment on wetlands, and indiscriminate development along waterways, which alter the natural land topography and increase the risk of flooding. Mr. Wahab urged local authorities and Assemblies to enforce regulations governing land use, wetlands protection, and environmental management.
He stated that all stakeholders, including the Forestry Commission, NADMO, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and district assemblies, have a collective responsibility to protect the Volta Lake and River systems for future generations. He warned that structures illegally erected on public lands or waterways risked demolition, even where permits may have been obtained improperly.
Alhaji Mohamed Avona Akape, the Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC), speaking on behalf of Mr. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, commended the VRA for its continued collaboration with the VRCC in strengthening disaster preparedness in the region. He said the devastating 2023 Akosombo Dam spillage, which displaced thousands of residents in North, Central, and South Tongu and other districts, underscored the need for proactive disaster prevention measures.
He outlined several government interventions, including the expansion of climate adaptation and flood control infrastructure to the Volta Region under the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development Project framework. He also highlighted the government's 24-Hour Economy Policy, which includes strengthening emergency response institutions such as NADMO, the Ghana National Fire Service, and the National Ambulance Service to ensure round-the-clock disaster response.
Alhaji Akape said the government's Blue Economy Agenda would enforce buffer zone policies along the Volta Lake, regulate land use planning, and support affected communities with sustainable alternative livelihoods after flood disasters. He mentioned plans to decentralize emergency logistics by ensuring that all flood-prone districts in the Volta Region have pre-positioned relief items, boats, and communication equipment before the end of 2026.
The Chief Director urged MDCEs, security agencies, and regional directors not to treat the workshop as a routine exercise but rather translate the discussions into concrete district-level action plans and regular simulation exercises. Mr. Addison Dodzi Mornyuie, District Chief Executive for Central Tongu, told the GNA that the Assembly had intensified public education on the need for building permits and proper spatial planning. He noted that some communities affected by recent flooding were not originally flood-prone areas but became vulnerable due to indiscriminate construction along waterways and unapproved structures.
Participants at the workshop were taken through presentations on the overview of the Emergency Preparedness Plan, flood risk zones, downstream development challenges, and the Environmental Management Plan.