The MCE for Lower Manya Krobo District has urged traditional and community leaders to actively disseminate the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) Emergency Preparedness Plan to ensure safety during the rainy season.

Simon Kweku Tetteh addressing leaders from various groups, assemblies, and electoral areas at a VRA sensitisation meeting in Krobo Odumase, Eastern Region, stated the importance of community awareness and preparedness.

The meeting was part of VRA’s annual community engagement and sensitisation efforts with stakeholders and communities within its operational areas.

Over the past three weeks, VRA has been conducting a series of engagements to inform all ten districts south of the Akosombo Dam about its emergency preparedness plan.

Discussions focused on field studies assessing the current wetness levels in these districts and the potential impact of a precautionary discharge from the Akosombo Dam.

The analysis indicated that such a discharge would largely remain within the riverbanks, with minimal wetness expected in low-lying areas, wetlands, and structures along the river.

Affected areas include the Ada East District in Greater Accra, and Keta, Anloga, North Tongu, and South Tongu districts in the Volta Region.

The deliberations aimed to foster strong community relations and create a common understanding of steps needed to preserve life and property during the rainy season.

Mr Tetteh stressed the importance of being informed about VRA’s activities and plans, urging leaders to ensure the information reaches all community members.

“This information is not just for your personal consumption but for onward distribution to the people within your assemblies and electoral areas,” he stated.

VRA’s Manager for Corporate Communications and Branding, Francis Abban, reassured the community that there is no immediate plan to discharge water from the Akosombo Dam.

He explained that VRA is being proactive with public education while closely monitoring reservoir intake levels, which are currently lower than at the same time last year.

Divisional Chief of Kpong, Nene Kpabitey, expressed the community’s willingness to collaborate with VRA to ensure safety. “

We are all ready to support and contribute to ensure the safety of everyone,” he said, highlighting the importance of traditional leaders working with VRA to prevent any adverse consequences from a precautionary discharge.

The engagement was attended by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Selorm Kwame Tibu, and the Lower Manya Municipal NADMO Director, Zakariah Adams.

Leading the VRA delegation were Ben Sackey, Director of Environment and Sustainability Development, Sam Fletcher, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility, Francis Kobina Abban, Manager of Corporate Communications and Branding, and Rhoda Arthur, Principal Community Relations Officer.