Ex-VRA Boss Pushes for Pwalugu Hydroelectric Dam to Tackle Flooding and Boost Energy Security
Accra, Ghana – May 20, 2025 — Former Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Kirk Koffi, has called on the government and stakeholders to prioritise the construction of the proposed Pwalugu hydroelectric power plant, citing its dual benefits for energy generation and flood control in northern Ghana.
Speaking during an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Face to Face on Channel One TV, Ing. Koffi stressed that the Pwalugu project is a strategic solution to persistent flooding and a key asset for advancing Ghana’s renewable energy and agricultural goals.
“I think we should be looking at the Pwalugu [dam], because of its importance. We should have our own food basket in this country,” he remarked, highlighting the potential of the dam to enhance national food security through improved irrigation and water management.
Flooding and Energy Concerns
Ing. Koffi noted that the northern part of the country continues to suffer from avoidable flooding, primarily because of the flat terrain and lack of adequate water retention infrastructure. He explained that current spillage from small reservoirs causes widespread flooding without significantly improving inflows into the Akosombo Lake.
“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 lake; it all spreads,” he said.
According to him, a dam at Pwalugu would help control the volume and flow of water, preventing unnecessary flooding and storing water that could be used for both power generation and agricultural purposes.
Multi-Purpose Benefits
Beyond energy generation, the Pwalugu dam is projected to support irrigation projects, providing a reliable water source for farming communities in the north. This aligns with Ghana’s broader vision of improving domestic food production and reducing reliance on imported grains.
Ing. Koffi reiterated the need for Ghana to invest in projects that simultaneously enhance infrastructure, promote environmental resilience, and support economic development.
The Pwalugu multi-purpose dam project has long been proposed but has yet to see full implementation. With renewed advocacy from former energy sector leaders, it may once again attract national attention.
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