President John Dramani Mahama has received a critical report from a presidential committee tasked with investigating the severe aftermath of the 2023 dam spillages in Akosombo and Kpong.
The report, submitted on May 7, 2025, through the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, outlines a comprehensive roadmap for recovery and future disaster prevention.
The 110-page document captures the voices of nearly 40,000 displaced residents and the staggering damage to homes, schools, and health facilities. The spillages, conducted by the Volta River Authority (VRA) from September 15 to October 30, 2023, were necessary to prevent catastrophic dam failures amid record water levels. However, the resulting floods devastated the Volta Region, particularly North Tongu, Central Tongu, South Tongu, Ada, and Kpong.
Human and Economic Toll
In its findings, the committee reported that 1,247 homes, 94 schools, and 17 health facilities were destroyed, while agricultural losses alone are estimated at $78 million – a harsh blow to a region heavily dependent on farming and fishing. Despite emergency relief efforts from the VRA and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), many affected families remain in temporary shelters, awaiting more substantial support.
A Blueprint for Resilience
The committee, chaired by Ing. Kirk Koffi, included industry experts such as Mr. Kwame Jantuah, Ing. Kofi Ellis, Ing. Kwaku Sarpong Akos, and Ms. Georgette Emefa Fugah. Their recommendations aim to rebuild and future-proof the affected regions:
Designated Floodplains: Delineate controlled spillage zones to protect vulnerable communities. This includes establishing a Legislative Instrument to prevent new settlements within the floodplain and upgrading critical infrastructure like the Sogakope bridge.
Community Engagement and Preparedness: Prioritise localised emergency preparedness, improve community education on flood risks, and establish multilingual communication channels to warn residents early.
Resilient Infrastructure: Invest in engineering solutions to increase water conveyance efficiency and reduce the impact of future spillages, potentially sparing communities like Mepe from catastrophic flooding.
Psychosocial Support and Safe Havens: Develop multipurpose high-ground structures for safe havens and offer psychological support to help affected residents recover from trauma.
Fair Compensation: Establish transparent compensation mechanisms to rebuild livelihoods. The committee strongly recommended the immediate establishment of a “Claims Office” for efficient fund disbursement, ensuring that compensation reaches those most impacted.
Next Steps
President Mahama, in a recent national address, confirmed that compensation payments are in progress, with the government committed to a structured, transparent process. He assured Ghanaians that the committee’s recommendations would form the backbone of a national disaster prevention and recovery framework.
As the affected communities await meaningful action, the challenge now lies in translating these recommendations into real change – a critical step toward preventing future tragedies and building lasting resilience.
