Ada west: The Volta River Authority (VRA) has conducted a stakeholder engagement workshop in collaboration with the Ada West District Assembly to educate local authorities and community leaders on its Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
According to Ghana News Agency, the workshop, held at the Ada West Assembly Hall in Sege, gathered Assembly Members, officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), traditional leaders, civil society groups, and other institutions. The event aimed to enhance understanding of VRA's emergency and environmental strategies, especially following the 2023 controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam, which led to significant flooding in parts of the district.
Mr. Philip Tetteh Pady, an engineer and officer of the VRA's Environmental and Sustainable Development Department, explained that the spillage was a necessary safety measure due to water levels in the dam surpassing critical thresholds. He noted that the impact of the flooding was exacerbated by human encroachment on flood-prone and waterlogged areas. "Spilling is always a last resort. But when people build in the wrong places, it puts lives and property at greater risk," he said.
Mr. Pady called for stronger enforcement of building regulations and increased public education on emergency alerts and environmental conservation, highlighting components of the EMP, which include tree planting, waste management, and the protection of water bodies. Mr. Modjifa Jerry John Foreigner Tanihu, the Ada West District Chief Executive, praised the VRA for the initiative and pledged the assembly's commitment to collaborate with the Authority and other stakeholders. "We need to be prepared and take action before disaster strikes. I believe this workshop is a step in the right direction," he said.
Participants used the interactive session to advocate for improved early warning systems, intensified community sensitisation, and strict enforcement of planning laws to prevent construction in high-risk areas. The engagement concluded with a renewed pledge by stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in safeguarding the environment and enhancing disaster preparedness across the Ada West District.
