Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Kirk Koffi, has indicated that the establishment of a new hydroelectric power plant at Pwalugu will assist in managing floods in the northern parts of the country.Speaking to Citi News on Tuesday, May 20, Ing Koffi said the proposed Pwalugu Dam would boost agricultural productivity and provide a stable electricity supply.

“I think we should be looking at the Pwalugu [dam] because of its importance. We should have our food basket in this country,” he advocated.

He argued that small volumes of water spilling can cause flooding in the northern areas due to the flat terrain.

“That small facility and they are producing many grains, when they spill very little volume, it comes up to the North, and because the place is a bit flat, you see it flooding. It doesn’t even impact much of the inflows into the [Akosombo] lake; it all spreads. When we build the dam [hydro power plant], it will contain the floods,” he stated.His comment is a reaction to the devastating effects of the Akosombo Dam spillage that occurred in 2023.

He stated that the spillage was necessary to prevent disaster and not as a result of negligence.

“No, no, it all depends… direct rainfall can impact what it comes from anywhere. It’s just a result of the inflow. You cannot hold them responsible because they would have died anyway.”

According to him, the Volta River Authority (VRA) had to spill excess water to prevent damage to the Dam as well as ensure safety.

“By September 2023, when we were to see a downward trend in the inflow, it picked up, which was an indication, and they had to spill a little bit more.

"Those who run the facility don’t bridge the dam; if you do, everybody downstream will go, and you will not save anybody. That is, if the water overflows. 2023 was an unusual year,” he explained.

The flood, which lasted over six weeks, displaced approximately 38,624 residents and wreaked havoc on properties, schools, health centres and farmlands in communities such as North, Central and South Tongu, Ada, and Kpong.

Nearly 1,247 homes, 94 schools, and 17 health facilities were destroyed, while agricultural losses were estimated at $78 million.