VRA, IN COLLABORATION WITH SHAI-OSUDOKU DISTRICT, ORGANISED A WORKSHOP ON THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN.

/ 8 August 2025 / 0 Comments

On Tuesday, 5th August 2025, the Volta River Authority(VRA), in collaboration with the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly(SODA) organised a workshop on the Emergency Preparedness Plan and Environmental Management Plan at the conference room of the Akuse Club House.

In attendance were some of the key stakeholders: Hon. Ignatius Godfred Dordoe, DCE, Shai-Osudoku District, Hon. Owen Korletey – PM, Shai-Osudoku District, Rev. Ebenezer Asiamah – District Director for Health, Shai-Osudoku District, Madam Janet Wahiermeh – District Director NCCE, Education Director Madam Zillah Nyakor -District Director for Education,Madam Esenam Bonsu - Agric Director- Shai-Osudoku District, DSP David Hoji – District Fire Commander, Mr. Evans Doryumu- District Director NADMO Mrs.Cornelia Asante-Obeng – District Information Officer, Hon. Dennis Nartey- Greater Accra Regional NADMO Director, Ms. Dorothy Acquah- Devt Planning Officer – Madam Agnes Korletey- Environmental Health Officer -Mr. Jonathan Hagan – Leader of team VRA, Eng. Philip Tetteh Padi -VRA, Mrs. Rhoda Arthur -VRA, Eng. Akosua Owusu Efaa-VRA, Barbara Akyea -VRA, Elsie Asante Akomah- VRA, Emmanuel Okyere Boateng -VRA and Robert Sowah – VRA.

In his Opening remarks, the District Chief Executive for Shai-Osudoku District, Hon. Ignatius Godfred Dordoe, welcomed all the key stakeholders and thanked them for showing up in their numbers.

He stated that an emergency preparedness plan is key to tackling emergencies when they arise, with good planning and focus.

He further said he has been part of several emergency preparedness plans in past as an Assembly member. He urged everyone to get involved and make sure to make good plans to stay prepared when emergencies arise.

Engineer Philip Tetteh Padi of VRA gave the brief emergency preparedness plan of the Akosombo and Kpong dams, their framework work and the roles of all key stakeholders on how to be alert and prepared. He further explained how the EPP frame identifies potential emergencies and outlines pre-planned actions to minimize property damage and loss of life.

He also took us through the procedures and processes that the dam owner must follow in case of an emergency, which are as follows;

● Identification and evaluation of the emergency

● Notification of the appropriate emergency management organization

● Carry out preventive actions to reduce the impact of the flood.

● Assist NADMO to reduce the impact of the emergency by;

I. Pre-emergency risk assessment (Flood contingency plan)

II. Tools preparedness available

III. Relief management in affected areas (All downstream of the Akosombo and Kpong dams)

Engineer Philip Tetteh Padi stated that there are two main emergencies;

Emergency caused by the spillage and the Emergency caused by the dam collapse, and with this, the emergencies have been classified into three different phases, each phase has A and B, where A stands for the dam structure, and B stands for the water behind the dam.

He took us through the EPP pre-planned activities, which include;

● Monitoring

● Emergency Classification

● Notification

● Responsibility

● Warning to potentially affected people

Madam Barbara Akyea took us through the Environmental Management Plan.

She talked about the implementation of the environmental management plan for the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric power plants. She further explained the 280ft contour of the upstream, the buffer zone policy and how it was necessary to protect it.

She also cited the roles of the Water Resources Commission and the District Assembly in managing the buffer zones downstream of the Akosombo and Kpong dams by so doing emergencies can be properly managed and the impact reduced.

Moreover, there is a master plan to help all these plans take shape, which is the Volta Lake Master Plan.

She concluded by saying the DCE Hon. Ignatius Godfred Dordoe has a key role to play in ensuring the district is fully prepared for any emergency and must work hand in hand with NADMO and all the key stakeholders.

After both presentations, there was an open forum where participants raised some concerns for clarification. Below are some of the questions;

● What is the level of collaboration between NADMO and the DCE?

● Why do some people take the early warnings for granted?

● Why did VRA fail to prioritized those downstream in 1954?

● There should be a restudy of the whole district plan again, especially the safe havens, to come out with a modern plan suitable for the district.

● Are there any existing protocols between Ghana and other countries below the Volta Basin on spillage?

● Are there any trans-boundary protocols?

● Are there demarcations so that when a disaster occurs, there will be a rapid response?

● The issue of the VRA scholarship scheme and how it is awarded.

● The dredging activities along the downstream.

● Aquaculture activities in the lake.

● The issue of schistosomiasis in some communities downstream

● Issues relating to activities along the coastal areas.

All these issues were addressed by the leader of the team from VRA, Mr. Jonathan Hagan, Eng. Philip Tetteh Padi and Mrs. Rhoda Arthur.

There were some presentations to participants who took part in answering questions set by VRA and scoring 100 per cent.

Mr. Jonathan Hagan, leader of team VRA, thanked all stakeholders and urged for better collaboration in tackling these emergencies.

The District Chief Executive, Hon. Ignatius Godfred Dordoe, in his closing remarks, thanked all stakeholders and pleaded with the major stakeholders, VRA, the District Assembly and the Water Resource Commission to collaborate effectively to mitigate some of these challenges when they arise. He pledged he will personally ensure the Assembly is always in readiness to tackle any emergency when they arise.

SOURCE:ISD(SODA)