President John Dramani Mahama has mandated the swift implementation of dam safety reforms following the 2023 Akosombo and Kpong dam spillage, which displaced thousands and underscored critical gaps in emergency preparedness and risk mitigation.
In a national address marking 120 days in office, President Mahama described the flooding as a preventable, human-caused disaster and affirmed his administration’s commitment to climate resilience, disaster risk governance, and institutional accountability.
“The findings and technical recommendations submitted by the committee led by former VRA CEO Ing. Kirk Koffi must be operationalized without delay,” the president stated. These include new protocols for controlled spillage and targeted downstream engineering interventions to protect vulnerable communities.
Mahama issued a clear warning to the leadership of the Volta River Authority (VRA), noting that failure to act decisively on these reforms will carry consequences.
“If another preventable flood occurs due to inaction, the VRA’s top management will be expected to step down or be dismissed.”
The president also announced that compensation funding for affected households has been fully secured.
A specialized coordination team has been established to oversee disbursements, with an emphasis on transparency, equity, and local stakeholder engagement.
Traditional and community leaders have been asked to support the process to ensure trust and social cohesion.
“Our collective response must reflect not only accountability for the past but also a serious investment in long-term prevention,” President Mahama concluded. “We are committed to rebuilding with resilience and protecting every Ghanaian life.”
By: J.W Quarm
