The Volta River Authority (VRA) has organized a one-day workshop in Koforidua on the Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and the Environmental Management Plan. VRA specifies that a yearly workshop be held in each of the 10 potentially affected districts that would be impacted in the event of an emergency at the Akosombo and Kpong Hydro Plants.
The workshop serves as a platform to educate participants, review procedures, update records, and test internal organization and response times.
It also aims to sensitize communities about the operations of the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams, and to ensure the safety of lives, property, and economic activities in the event of potential emergencies such as dam collapse or controlled water releases.
Additionally, it seeks to raise awareness and educate stakeholders on sustainable environmental practices to safeguard the Volta Lake and ensure reliable power generation for economic growth.
The Director of Water Resources and Renewable Energy at VRA, Ing. Abdul Noor Wahab, noted that there are times when releasing water from the dam becomes necessary, but it can also have significant effects on surrounding communities and the environment. In such situations, it is vital for all stakeholders to fully understand their responsibilities and act promptly and effectively to protect lives and property, hence, the importance of the workshop.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, commended VRA for the initiative, emphasizing that the Emergency Preparedness Plan is crucial to ensuring stakeholders are well-prepared for any emergency.
She also encouraged all stakeholders to see the workshop as a reminder of their collective responsibility to safeguard the people and communities living along the Volta Lake.
Mrs. Awatey pledged the Regional Coordinating Council’s unflinching support in ensuring that the livelihoods and welfare of community members in potentially affected areas are enhanced in the event of an emergency.
