The Tufohene of Akwamu traditional area, Nana Offei Boadu, has urged leaders of various opinion groups and assembly members to be “apostles” by sharing information received from the VRA’s Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP).
He made the appeal during the last leg of the Volta River Authority’s EPP sensitization held in the Asuogyaman District in the Eastern region.
The VRA in the last three weeks has embarked on a sensitization drive within all ten districts found south of the Akosombo Dam on its emergency preparedness plan, should there be a need to spill some amount of water.
The VRA has met with both traditional authorities leaders of various groups and assemblies within all ten districts. The focus of the discussion has been primarily on the activities of the Dam and its future plans.
This forms part of the VRA’s annual community engagements and sensitization with stakeholders and communities, which also serves as an avenue to further deepen relations between the communities and the VRA.
“Be apostles of the word. Ensure the information reaches every member of your locality”, the Tufohone of Akwamu traditional area, Nana Offei Boadu emphasised.
Underscoring the need for a collective responsibility, he called for an all hands on deck approach to safeguard both lives and livelihood, adding, that the VRA should endeavor to include some traditional leaders in the Authority’s task force to enforce the measures to tackle encroachment into the buffer zones along the river which poses a threat to the communities.
The Tufohene also cautioned other traditional areas to be mindful of selling sandbars and buffer zone lands which threatens the safety of the communities.
The VRA assured members present at the meeting of its continuous support and promised to frequently engage, should there be a need for any precautionary discharge.
The Director of Environment and Sustainable Development at the VRA, Ben Sackey reiterated that, no decision had been made to spill, hence, no need for panic.
He added, that the Authority was being proactive to put some precautionary measures and education in place, hence all rumors of a spill should be disregarded since no such decision has been taken yet.
Per the VRA’s analysis, the water if discharged with precaution will stay within the banks of the river channel. However low lying areas, wetlands and structures found within the banks of the river will see minimal wetness.
The engagement was also graced by Mavis Owusuaa Akonnor, District Chief Executive, Propser Agbenyo, District Coordinating Director and David Sosu Brown, District director, NADMO.
The leaders of the VRA delegation included Ben Sackey, Director Environment and Sustainability Development, Samuel Fletcher, Manager Community Relations, Francis Kobena Abban, Manager Corporate Communications and Branding and Rhoda Arthur, Principal Community Relations Officer.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
