The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has called on stakeholders to elevate emergency preparedness from procedural compliance to active readiness, following a high-level engagement with the Volta River Authority (VRA) on risk management and environmental sustainability around the Volta Lake.
The meeting formed part of a stakeholder workshop led by Ing. Abdul Noor Wahab, Director of Water Resources and Renewable Energy at the VRA, and focused on emergency preparedness measures and environmental management strategies to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of communities along the Volta Lake in the Eastern Region.
“Our preparedness systems must go beyond paperwork and become part of our everyday governance and planning”
Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister
Hon. Awatey, addressing participants, stressed that the conversation on emergency response must evolve beyond documentation into a working culture of constant vigilance and institutional readiness.
She said effective governance must incorporate proactive crisis management protocols, especially for communities vulnerable to dam-related emergencies and climate-related shocks.
The Regional Minister further noted that the Volta Lake, a key national asset, demands a long-term strategic approach that combines environmental protection with community empowerment.
She explained that the impact of dam operations, potential flooding, and other related risks required not only technical coordination but also strong partnerships between local government, national institutions, and traditional authorities.
“In moments of crisis, there is no time to hesitate. Everyone, from technical experts to local authorities, must know their role and be ready to act”
Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister
District-Level Preparedness
The Volta River Authority, through its Water Resources and Renewable Energy Directorate, has continued to engage regional and district stakeholders to deepen awareness and enhance capacity for risk response along the Volta Basin.
The workshop in the Eastern Region underscored the Authority’s proactive posture towards equipping communities with the necessary knowledge, tools, and partnerships to reduce disaster vulnerability.
“Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. It requires joint planning, simulations, resource allocation, and consistent engagement with the people and structures on the ground”
Volta River Authority
Ing. Abdul Noor Wahab led technical discussions on current vulnerabilities, risk mapping, and early warning systems, reiterating that the aim of the programme was to ensure that no district is left behind in readiness planning.
He also commended the regional leadership for embracing the multi-sectoral approach being advanced through the workshops. “Our vision is to build an ecosystem of resilience where every district is prepared, protected, and empowered,” he said.
Beyond the immediate focus on emergency response, stakeholders also addressed broader environmental management concerns.
Hon. Awatey emphasized that the Volta Lake must be safeguarded not only because of its economic significance but also due to its ecological importance and cultural value. She noted that overexploitation, pollution, and poor planning posed long-term threats to the sustainability of the lake and the communities that depend on it.
“The Volta Lake is not only a source of power and livelihood; it is a national asset. We must protect it through responsible planning, effective community education, and strong institutional collaboration”
Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister
Participants at the meeting included representatives from municipal and district assemblies, environmental protection agencies, disaster management organizations, and civil society actors. They engaged in scenario analyses and discussed the role of public education, simulation drills, and cross-sector communication in building a more robust response mechanism.
As Ghana continues to prioritize climate adaptation and environmental resilience, initiatives such as these reflect a commitment to localizing national policy through participatory governance.
The Eastern Region’s focus on disaster preparedness and sustainable water resource management aligns with broader national strategies to fortify communities against climate volatility and infrastructural risks.
In closing the session, Hon. Awatey expressed appreciation to the VRA for its leadership and reiterated her office’s full support for all ongoing efforts to make preparedness a lived reality at the community level.
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