Dam spillage: 'Wasting such volume of water is an immoral act to conservation; construct reservoirs' — Prof. Joseph Osafo 

The recent spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam has sparked conversations about the responsible use of this water from nature, with Professor Joseph Osafo advocating for a more conservation-oriented approach to address the issue.

The spillage from Akosombo and Kpone Dams have affected communities with Mempe and Aaveyime hard hit in the Volta Region.

Reports indicate that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) rescued some 1800 persons, specifically in Mempe and Aaveyime, who were severely impacted by the floods.

Reacting to this on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Rev. Professor Joseph Osafo, the Director of the Centre for Ageing Studies at the University of Ghana has expressed worry.

He called upon the Volta River Authority and the government to take proactive measures to construct reservoirs to conserve the water spilled from the Akosombo and Kpone Dams.

Professor Osafo expressed surprise that, even after over 50 years since the dam's construction, no step had been taken to harness the water that periodically overflows when the dam reaches its capacity.

"When I look at how we can use water to grow crops and this water has gone free and destroyed things free, I mean 50 years and over, No! It's unacceptable.

“We can't do this to our nation...You can't waste water. With the way the world is going, water, it cannot be wasted that way; not at all,” he said.

According to him, constructing a reservoir was necessary to receive the excess water from the dams than always punish citizens in those areas every year with the spillage.

“Spilling the water without conserving it is an immoral action to conservation," Professor Osafo asserted.

He continued, "If the soldiers rescued 1800 people, it means that we were close to a major disaster. We were very close. And how can we allow this?"

The government has established an inter-ministerial committee to address the significant flooding that resulted from the spillage of the Volta and Kpong Dams by the Volta River Authority (VRA).