The Volta River Authority (VRA) has held a stakeholder engagement workshop in collaboration with the Ada West District Assembly to sensitise local authorities and community leaders on its Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

The workshop, held at the Ada West Assembly Hall in Sege, brought together Assembly Members, officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), traditional leaders, civil society groups and other institutions.

It aimed at deepening understanding of VRA’s emergency and environmental strategies, particularly in the aftermath of the 2023 controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam, which caused significant flooding in parts of the district.

Mr. Philip Tetteh Pady, an engineer and officer of the VRA’s Environmental and Sustainable Development Department, explained that the spillage was a necessary safety measure, as water levels in the dam had exceeded critical thresholds.

He noted that the impact of the flooding was worsened by human encroachment on flood-prone and waterlogged areas.

“Spilling is always a last resort. But when people build in the wrong places, it puts lives and property at greater risk,” he said.

Mr. Pady called for stronger enforcement of building regulations and greater public education on emergency alerts and environmental conservation, highlighting components of the EMP, which include tree planting, waste management, and the protection of water bodies.

Mr. Modjifa Jerry John Foreigner Tanihu, the Ada West District Chief Executive, commended the VRA for the initiative and pledged the assembly’s commitment to collaborate with the Authority and other stakeholders.

“We need to be prepared and take action before disaster strikes. I believe this workshop is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Participants used the interactive session to call for improved early warning systems, intensified community sensitisation and the strict enforcement of planning laws to prevent construction in high-risk areas.

The engagement concluded with a renewed pledge by stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in safeguarding the environment and enhancing disaster preparedness across the Ada West District.