Contrary to the view that the construction of a dam by Burkina-Faso is a major cause of the current energy crisis facing Ghana, Kwesi Amoako, Akosombo Plant Manager of the Volta River Authority thinks otherwise.

He says the capacity of the Burkina Faso dam is 20 mega watts, not significant enough to affect water inflows into the Akosombo dam.

Rather, he insists that logging and deforestation along the tributaries of the Volta Lake were greatly responsible for the drying up of the water bodies, which affect water inflow into the Akosombo dam.

Briefing a 12-member delegation of the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific and European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly on tour of the dam on Sunday, Mr Amoako said: “the sharp decline in the water level which stood at 236.8 feet, almost at the extreme operating level of 236 feet, is a worrying situation.”

But he said there is hope as long as Ghanaians properly managed what was left.

“We are managing to ensure that we do not fall below the extreme operating level, this is what we are praying against,” he added.

Mr Amoako said the water inflow into the dam was not expected to improve until sometime between June and July by which time a proper situational analysis could be made.

He said that although all the six turbines were operational “we have to consciously run two at a time because of the low level of water in the dam.

He ruled out the possibility of the country being plunged into darkness, explaining that steps had been taken to bring on board emergency power to augment the situation.

As a long term solution, Mr Amoako said thermal power was the best option.

“This has nothing to do with nature, once you get your fuel to power the thermal, you are assured of constant power supply,” he said.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, told the media that “the situation was worrying and all should help to resolve the problem, adding that “it is an economic problem, not a political one.”

He said as a matter of urgency, district assemblies should enforce their by-laws to protect water bodies.

Credit: The Ghanaian Times