The Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, is concerned about the effect of the Akosombo Dam spillage in the lower Volta area on the economy of Ghana, saying it will exacerbate the current food inflation in the country as a result of farmlands being washed away among others.
According to him, the Government was preparing itself for a bounteous harvest because of the generous rainfall that was experienced throughout the country early on in the year.
“Unfortunately, we had this inundation of farmlands, no thanks to the massive rainfall and also the spillage of the Bagri Dam. That certainly is going to compound the food situation in the country and the hope is that it will not lead to a skyrocketing of food prices to add to the already high level of food inflation in the country,” he observed.
The Majority Leader expressed this concern when he addressed the press on the first day of the resumption of Parliament after a two-month recess on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
He explained that, for the fear of breaching the dam the VRA caused a controlled spillage. However, because of the heavy downpour, even the communities down south of the dam were already flooded before the spillage of the impounded water which has added to the troubles of those living downstream.
“People have lost property, houses, vehicles, livestock, or even life, and crops have also been lost. So, Certainly, it is going to contribute to the impoverishment of the people down south and below the Akosombo dam. In particular, the immediate communities, Akradi, Atimpoku, and the rest.
“I believe, as the representatives of the people we should show concern. We need to have some dialogue with the Speaker to know exactly what we would be able to do as a House to assist them.”
According to Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the House would have to invite the leadership of the Volta River Authority (VRA) for a briefing on what was supposed to be a controlled spillage.
“I believe it would be important for us to invite VRA to come and fully brief the House about what has happened, the repercussions, and how to avoid any future such events. Of course, you are looking at the integrity of the dam itself.
“Fancy the situation if this was not done and the dam itself got breached…Can you fathom the devastation that it would cause the nation? Maybe about a quarter of this country will be gone. This is why I say it would become important to invite the VRA to have some discussions with them on that.”
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
