As part of the annual stakeholder engagements for the Volta River Authority’s emergency preparedness plan, officials of VRA led by the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of services, Ing. Ken Arthur, met with the Minister of Interior, Henry Quartey, and representatives of various security agencies.
This meeting comes as the Volta River Authority has begun its sensitization exercise in downstream communities south of the Akosombo Dam which were affected by the dam spillage last year. The VRA has so far engaged traditional authorities, religious leaders, and opinion leaders in the North Tongu and South Tongu districts at sensitization workshops.
Tabling the issues, Ing. Arthur explained that stakeholder engagement and community sensitization have become necessary due to the rainy season and the anticipated volumes that could occur. He stated, that, the precautionary spill could become a necessity if the volume of rains goes up, even though the current level of water in the Akosombo Dam is relatively lower than the same time last year.
The Minister for Interior, Henry Quartey, suggested that the scope of engagements be widened in order not to leave out any critical groups and individuals who are likely to be affected in the event of possible spillage.
On the part of the security agencies, the representatives assured the meeting of its readiness and support should there be a need for a precautionary spillage.
Present at the meeting included Deputy Minister, Naana Eyiah, Ag. Chief Director at the Ministry of Interior, Doreen Annan, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Interior, Samuel Amankwah.
From the security and relief agencies; Comptroller/General K.A.Takyi of the Ghana Immigration Service, CFO Julius Kuunuor from the fire service, COP Mohammed Suraj from the Ghana Police Service, Lt. Col. Alex Twumasi, and Maj. Joshua Satekla from the Ghana Army, Nana Agyemang Prempeh, Dir. NADMO, PAEMT Alhassan Mohammed from the National Ambulance Service, Seji Saji from NADMO.
Also present from VRA were Acting Director Water Resources/ Renewable Energy Abdul Wahab and Corporate Communications Manager Francis Abban.
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