The Volta River Authority (VRA) has announced the renovation of the 160-megawatt hydroelectric Kpong Dam and spillway gates in Akuse, Eastern Region, over 40 years after its construction.
The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with chiefs, assembly members, and opinion leaders from Akuse, Torgome, Fodzoku, Natriku, and surrounding communities. The meeting aimed to address the potential impacts of the project and gather input from local communities on ways to mitigate them.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kwaku Wiafe, VRA’s Director of Engineering Services, explained that the dam’s rehabilitation was necessary due to the displacement of rocks over the years. He mentioned that by adding a fresh layer of rocks to the dam’s dyke, it would effectively extend the dam’s lifespan.
Mr. Wiafe emphasized the importance of ensuring the reliability of the spillway, especially in the face of climate change, to prevent overtopping. This measure is essential for the safety of downstream communities and maintaining the dam’s integrity for continued reliable power supply.
Additionally, VRA plans to rehabilitate the deteriorated 10-kilometer road from Okwenya Junction to Akuse, a project long requested by VRA staff, residents, and motorists. The road will be upgraded to a first-class standard to accommodate haulage trucks and other vehicles. Safety measures include restricting trucks to a speed limit of 15 kilometers per hour and regularly watering the road to reduce dust pollution.
Concerns were raised about the potential impact of the project on fish species and water pollution. Mr. Wiafe reassured stakeholders that the work would not cause pollution or disrupt fishing activities, as the project would not interfere with fishing sites.
VRA civil engineer, Mr. Emmanuel Darko Thompson, explained that the restoration project would focus on reinforcing the upstream dykes and spillway gate, particularly addressing corrosion. The project will involve 150,000 cubic meters of rocks to restore the dykes. Failure to repair the dam could affect national productivity and economic growth, he added.
Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, assembly member for Akuse, urged VRA to extend the road rehabilitation to Asutuare.
