The Volta River Authority (VRA) says work will soon begin to clear aquatic weeds that have grown in the Volta River, destroying the livelihood of some residents in communities along the water body.

The forage is said to be badly affecting fishing and transportation of goods and people on the river. In certain communities, the forage has completely taken over several tributaries of the river making it impossible for fishing activities to go on in the water body.

The problem is linked directly with the construction of the Akosombo Dam in the 1960s.

The damning of the River Volta upstream has resulted in reduced flow of the river downstream. This has allowed for the rapid growth of weeds in the river. 

To mark World Water Day on Tuesday, Joseph Opoku Gakpo visited Devime, a former fishing community in the Volta region with a population of about 3000 residents and reports the jobs the river used to provide are no more.

Following the construction of the Akosombo Dam, a tributary of the Volta river called “Agbenorbu” that used to run through this community became stagnant. Weeds started growing in it, and now, the bushes have grown in place of the river.

Below is the link to the report he filed.

Head of the Lower Volta Dredging Project at VRA Ulysses Ocran - Hammond told Joy News’ Francis Abban relief would soon come for the residents. 

He said the Volta River Authority has introduced the Lower Volta Dredging and Aquatic Weed Harvesting Project which will see the authority partner with a number of private companies to harvest the weeds in the water body.

“By bringing on this project, we are going to do mechanical harvesting of the weeds and we are going to do effective dredging,” he said.

The first phase of the procurement exercise has been completed and companies are undertaking feasibility studies. About four companies will be selected by close of year to begin work.