The Volta River Authority (VRA) could face power generation losses of up to GH₵10 million monthly at the Kpong Hydroelectric Power Plant due to the unchecked spread of aquatic weeds, officials have warned.
The alarming threat was disclosed by Ing. Akim Tijani, Project Manager for Technical Services at VRA, during a three-day inland waterways assessment led by the acting Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Navy Captain (Rtd.) Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali.
Ing. Tijani said the primary culprit is the aggressive growth of water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant choking sections of the Volta Lake. These weeds form thick layers over water surfaces, blocking water flow and clogging turbines, seriously hampering hydropower output.
“Beyond energy losses, the weeds also obstruct canoe transport, reduce fish stocks, and hurt livelihoods in fishing and ecotourism”, he said.
To combat the issue, the Ghana Maritime Authority has deployed three aquatic weed skimmers, two operating at Kpong and one at Ada.
During his tour of the Kpong Headpond Aquatic Weed Harvesting Project, Dr. Kamal-Deen praised the skimmers’ crucial role in clearing waterways, improving both energy production and community wellbeing.
“These machines don’t just boost power output; they also support local fisheries, improve transportation, and enhance safety across our inland waters,” he said.
He further noted that the harvested weeds are processed into compost, providing added benefits for agriculture and promoting environmental sustainability.
Ing. Tijani highlighted that the success of the Kpong intervention would guide future weed management and technical responses in other parts of the country.
