Accra: The Volta River Authority (VRA) has raised alarms over the rise in unauthorized construction activities on the islands and buffer zones of the Volta Lake, spotlighting significant gaps in coordination among entities responsible for land management. The Authority warned that the increasing trend is not only posing safety risks for local communities but also revealing weaknesses in land-use planning and enforcement.
According to Ghana News Agency, the VRA highlighted these concerns during a stakeholder workshop focused on emergency preparedness plans and environmental impact assessments held in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality. The Authority attributed the issue to overlapping responsibilities among district assemblies, traditional authorities, and land regulators, which complicates effective land management. Recent monitoring efforts uncovered numerous structures being erected without necessary permits or environmental assessments, directly contravening planning regulations.
Officials from the VRA noted that while some parcels of land are sold by traditional leaders, they are often later regularized through official procedures, leading to enforcement inconsistencies and diluting compliance with land-use laws. Mr. Patrick Mireku, Director of Environment and Sustainability at the VRA, emphasized that illegal occupation and development of public lands are punishable under current laws; however, enforcement remains challenging due to fragmented institutional duties.
Despite notices served to developers encroaching on protected zones, Mr. Mireku stressed that sustained compliance demands enhanced collaboration, defined accountability, and coordinated enforcement by all stakeholders. Many developments are situated in designated high-risk 'red zones,' presenting significant hazards to residents during emergencies such as spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
Engineer Philip Tetteh Padi, Manager of Integrated Water Resources at the VRA, mentioned that ongoing discussions with district assemblies aim to improve public awareness and reinforce adherence to planning regulations. Although development pressures around the lake cannot be entirely halted, he advocated for a more structured and coordinated approach to ensure construction adheres to environmental safety standards and protects essential infrastructure. Engineer Padi advised prospective land buyers and developers to obtain the necessary permits and technical guidance before embarking on projects near the lake.
The situation, he noted, underscores the necessity for an integrated land-use management framework to balance development, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction along the Volta Lake. The workshop is part of the VRA's annual emergency preparedness and environmental awareness program for communities downstream of the Akosombo and Kpong dams to the estuary.