The Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has revealed that the Volta River Authority (VRA) will be summoned before Parliament to provide answers regarding the spillover of the Akosombo Dam, which has resulted in the displacement of more than 30,000 residents and extensive property damage along the Volta River.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Tuesday, October 31, the Majority Leader stressed the importance of the VRA briefing the House on the specifics of the incident and measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“I believe we may need to find some answers to some questions, and I guess the speaker is not yet here, but when the Speaker comes, we will have some discussions with him, and I believe it will be important for us to invite VRA to come and fully brief the House about what has happened, the repercussions, and how to avoid any future events,” he stated.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also expressed concern over the loss of properties by the victims, which has contributed to the impoverishment of the affected communities. As representatives of the people, he emphasized the need for dialogue with the Speaker to explore ways the House can assist the victims.
Additionally, the Majority Leader raised apprehensions about the flooding's potential impact on food security and the nation's inflation problems. He remarked, “This year, thanks to the heavy downpour of rains, we were preparing ourselves for a bounteous harvest. \
Unfortunately, we had this inundation of farmlands and thanks to the massive rainfall and also the spillage of Akosombo Dam, that certainly is going to compound the food situation in the country and the hope is that it would not lead to skyrocketing food prices to add to the already high levels of food inflation in the country.”
In response to these concerns, the Speaker of Parliament has ordered a parliamentary investigation into the Akosombo Dam spillage, considering the activity's potentially destructive nature and the absence of a well-prepared security and safety plan.
The Speaker highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “Parliament will take the necessary action to inquire into the matter and make recommendations for the protection of properties and lives living along the Volta Lake and other settlements along riverbeds.”
