Communities along the banks of the Volta Lake are being asked to evacuate to higher grounds as officials in charge of the Akosombo Dam prepare to open its spillways to save it from collapse. Volta River Authority officials say for the first time in 20 years, the dam has taken in so much water it has exceeded its maximum capacity. Communities along the lake both upstream and downstream in the Northern, Ashanti, Volta and Greater Accra regions are most likely to be affected. VRA’s Public Relations Director Gertrude Koomson tells Joy News the water level is rising at an alarming rate each day and that they may be forced to spill by tomorrow. Whilst the spill will help save the dam from collapse and spare the flooding of communities upstream, the rush of water would lead to an increase in the level of the lake downstream and subsequent flooding. Source: Joy News/Ghana