Political scientist, Prof Ransford Gyampo, has criticized the Volta River Authority (VRA) for the flood caused by the Akosombo Dam spillage.

According to him, VRA is responsbile for not properly implementing the plan to spill.

Justifying his stance, he explained that some weeks ago, he met a group of students and advised them to take their education very seriously and to ensure that whatever they are being taught must be imbibed and applied.

Prof Gyampo stated that if the degrees of these students are later found to be questionable and are reposed with important positions of trust, they will disappoint.

“So I gave an example that if you want to be a pilot there are requirements that you have to fulfill. if you don’t fulfill those requirements and you are cutting corners, you will be given a plane to fly and anytime we go and sit in a plane we have a lot of confidence and trust in the pilot like the way we have confidence in God.
“We put our lives in the hands of the pilot. If the pilot were to be somebody who had cut corners in his bid to acquire his education then he would jeopardize human lives… I said that two weeks ago to some students and it appears it’s playing out with this particular VRA matter.”
Prof Ransford Gyampo

Furthermore, Prof Gyampo alluded to the fact that it appears that some people’s education and certificate are questionable and that is why the country has gotten to this point.

He noted that it’s equally not about bagging all the degrees, Masters and PhDs, but also about how one bagged them and ensures they are applicable to the problems that they are required to solve.

“It also appears to me that there has been poor implementation of the project, that there were places people were not supposed to settle, who had the duty to ensure that these people never settled there in the first place?
“Per the project, this particular matter had to be implemented such that you will go quickly to tell the people who are located so close to the banks of the river that it could get full and when we decide to spill this is likely to be implemented.”
Prof Ransford Gyampo

Spillage from dam happening as envisaged

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Executive In charge of Engineering and Operation at the Volta River Authority (VRA), Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, has revealed that the flooding incident along the lower basin of the Volta River as a result of the ongoing spillage of excess water from the Akosombo Dam is happening as envisaged.

He noted that the VRA’s prediction ensured the safe evacuation of victims of the floods.

“We can say for a fact that, per the record so far, we think the communities really knew what was coming and were prepared. They took precautionary measures and evacuated themselves, which is why as of today, we don’t have any fatal incidents in the case of someone getting drowned in the water, or someone trapped in their homes.”
Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo

Furthermore, Mr Obeng-Kenzo commended the proactive response of the communities in the dam’s vicinity, which contributed to the absence of any fatal incidents so far.

He equally highlighted the competence of VRA in managing the situation and ensuring the safety of residents.

Moreover, Mr Obeng-Kenzo explained that VRA is an experienced institution and not overwhelmed, insisting that “what we’re seeing is as we predicted it”.