The Ministry of Energy has defended the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) controlled release of excess water from the Akosombo Dam, claiming that it was the only way to keep the dam from collapsing.

Since the spill started on September 15, thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes and numerous structures have been destroyed due to heavy flooding in the Volta and Greater Accra Regions.

Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh indicated in a briefing to Parliament that the exceptionally high water levels in the dam’s reservoir compelled the VRA to take immediate action.

“If the VRA had not been proactive in spilling this year, the water coming into the reservoir would have overtopped Akosombo Dam, which would have had an unimaginable catastrophic impact on the people,” Dr. Opoku Prempeh said.

Although the Minister accepted that the leak had caused some inconvenience, he maintained that it was an essential measure to safeguard the dam and the people living downstream.

Additionally, he gave the impacted areas the assurance that the government is dedicated to provide assistance and support.