A five-member presidential committee has submitted a detailed report to President John Dramani Mahama with critical recommendations to prevent a recurrence of the widespread destruction caused by the 2023 dam spillages from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.
The report, delivered on May 7, 2025, through the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, follows two months of investigations into the dam-induced floods that displaced nearly 40,000 people and caused damage estimated in the millions of dollars.
The committee, chaired by Ing. Kirk Koffi and including Mr. Kwame Jantuah, Ing. Kofi Ellis, Ing. Kwaku Sarpong Akos, and Ms. Georgette Emefa Fugah (secretary), made 12 strategic recommendations in a 110-page report aimed at strengthening national disaster preparedness and resilience.
Key Recommendations Include:
- Creation of Controlled Spillage Floodplains: A designated floodplain should be delineated to absorb spillages up to a 1-in-100-year flood scale, alongside critical infrastructure upgrades and a legislative ban on settlement within these zones.
- Improved Emergency Preparedness: Regular updates and simplification of the VRA’s Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP), with community-friendly communication in local languages and graphics.
- Strengthening Political Coordination: Formation of collaborative task forces comprising MPs, MCEs, and stakeholders to resolve political divisions and ensure coordinated disaster response efforts.
- Effective Communication Systems: Establishment of robust information channels to disseminate timely alerts and response guidelines to the public.
- Better Resourcing for NADMO and Assemblies: Enhanced funding, emergency backup systems, and stockpiles of supplies to improve district-level disaster response capabilities.
- Localised Disaster Planning: Support for developing local Emergency Preparedness Plans (EPPs), regular drills, and updated district disaster strategies.
- Community Engagement and Education: Promotion of flood risk awareness in schools and communities, emphasizing adherence to building regulations in flood-prone zones.
- Engineering Solutions: Infrastructure improvements to regulate downstream water flow and reduce the impact of controlled spillages, especially in high-risk communities such as Mepe.
- Floodplain Marking and Protection: Use of mangroves, concrete markers, and bamboo plantations to visibly delineate and protect designated floodplain areas.
- Safe Haven Development: Multipurpose buildings on elevated lands for emergency shelter, combined with psychological support services and community feedback systems.
- Compensation for Affected Communities: Immediate and adequate compensation for displaced residents, businesses, farmers, and fishermen. A comprehensive audit of property and livelihood losses is to guide distribution.
- Transparent Compensation Disbursement Procedure: Establishment of district-level accounts supervised by the Ministry of Finance, with oversight from MPs, DCEs, traditional leaders, and community representatives to ensure fair and verified compensation payments.
President Mahama’s Response
In a national address marking 120 days in office, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the affected communities. He confirmed that compensation payments are being processed and promised to implement a national action plan guided by the committee’s findings—centred on prevention, accountability, and long-term victim support.
The 2023 dam spillages, conducted by the Volta River Authority between September and October, were intended to prevent dam overflow but resulted in severe human and infrastructural losses across the Volta Region.
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