Concerns are growing over public safety and disaster preparedness as the Volta River Authority warns that poor coordination among land management institutions is enabling unchecked development along the Volta Lake.
The Authority says increasing construction on islands and protected buffer zones—often without permits or environmental clearance—is exposing communities to significant risks, particularly during dam spillage events from the Akosombo Dam and Kpong Dam.
At a stakeholder workshop held in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, officials pointed to fragmented institutional roles as a major obstacle to effective enforcement. Overlapping responsibilities between district assemblies, traditional authorities and regulatory bodies have created loopholes that developers are exploiting.
Patrick Mireku noted that although some encroachments are flagged and notices issued, enforcement remains inconsistent due to unclear accountability among stakeholders.
“Illegal occupation of these lands is punishable by law, but without coordinated action, compliance becomes difficult to sustain,” he explained.
Adding to the challenge, some parcels of land initially sold by traditional leaders are later regularised through formal channels, further complicating enforcement and undermining planning regulations.
Meanwhile, Philip Tetteh Padi stressed that many of the developments are located in high-risk “red zones,” heightening the danger to residents in the event of flooding or emergency water releases.
He said ongoing engagement with local assemblies aims to improve awareness and ensure developers adhere to proper procedures. However, he acknowledged that rising development pressure around the lake makes stricter coordination and planning essential.
The VRA is now calling for a more integrated land-use framework that aligns development with environmental protection and disaster risk reduction, warning that failure to act could have serious consequences for both communities and critical national infrastructure.
