Political science lecturer at the university of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has reacted to the Akosombo Dam spillage that has led to the destruction of several properties in the Volta region. According to Ransford Gyampo, someone Slept on the job leading to this disaster.
Professor Ransford Gyampo believes that the dam could have been spilled bit by bit when the dam. was getting full.
“When the water was getting too full, didn’t we see? Couldn’t we have spilled water from the Akosombo Dam bit by bit to avert the current havoc? Someone may have slept on the job and there should be punishment for such dereliction” he posted.
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Someone Slept On The Job – Professor Gyampo On Akosombo Dam Spillage
Large areas of land and communities downstream of the Akosombo and Kpong dams have been flooded since last week, October 9, 2023. This follows the second stage leak at two dams used to generate a third of Ghana’s electricity.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) began controlling the flow of water in the eastern Akosombo and Kpong dams from 15 September 2023 after it became clear that heavy rains had caused excess water in the two reservoirs.
The leak affected almost all communities in the Volta region, causing major power outages in the affected communities.
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As of Thursday, October 12, 2023, the water level in the dam is 276.92 feet, that is, 84.405 meters. Before the leak, the water level was 272.50 feet or 83.058 meters.
The VRA is overflowing the dam because the water in the reservoir has reached the safe operating level for this time of year and the water must be drained from the reservoir to make room for the water flow. If not, water may overflow from the pond and affect its integrity. Question 2. Why does VRA need to splash water from electricity generation?
All existing rooms are now used to generate electricity, but the water entering the reservoir is still higher than before, so electricity generation alone cannot eliminate all the water. If the spill is not contained immediately, water could overflow the dam and cause uncontrollable damage to downstream communities.