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Former Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Kirk Koffi, has stated that no individual or institution should be blamed for the devastating spillage of the Akosombo Dam in 2023, which displaced thousands and wreaked havoc across several communities along the Volta River.
In a recent interview on Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV, Ing. Koffi attributed the incident to uncontrollable natural forces, particularly unusual weather patterns and unprecedented inflows, rather than human error or negligence.
“It’s just a result of the inflow,” he said. “You cannot hold them responsible because they would have died anyway. Direct rainfall can come from anywhere. 2023 was an unusual year.”
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The spillage led to the displacement of residents in at least eight communities, with Mepe being among the hardest hit. The VRA’s decision to intensify the spillage was, according to Ing. Koffi, necessary to safeguard the dam’s structural integrity.
He explained that inflows were expected to decline by September 2023 but instead surged dramatically, forcing authorities to take swift action.
“By September, when we were expecting inflows to reduce, they rather increased. They had to spill more. Those managing the dam knew that if they allowed the water to overflow, it could have caused the entire structure to fail—and that would’ve been catastrophic for everyone downstream,” he noted.
Ing. Koffi praised former President John Dramani Mahama and Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Jinapor, for their proactive response during and after the crisis.
“Thanks to President Mahama for his vision and foresight, and to Hon. John Jinapor for setting up a committee to prepare for the future. I believe they are focused on long-term solutions to prevent a repeat of such devastation.”
The committee, established two years after the event, is tasked with designing comprehensive strategies to improve disaster preparedness and ensure sustainable dam operations amid changing climate conditions.
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