STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT MEETING ON POSSIBLE PRECAUTIONARY SPILLAGE OF WATER FROM THE AKOSOMBO DAM.

STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT MEETING ON POSSIBLE PRECAUTIONARY SPILLAGE OF WATER FROM THE AKOSOMBO DAM.
The Shai- Osudoku District Assembly in collaboration with the Volta River Authority (VRA) have organized a stakeholder’s engagement meeting on possible precautionary spillage of water from the Akosombo dam on Monday 22nd July,2024 at the church of Pentecost Auditorium at Asutuare.
Representing the District Chief Executive of the Shai-Osudoku District were Hon. Noah Sabutey the Presiding Member and his team and representing the Volta River Authority was the Director of Environment and Sustainability Mr. Ben Sackey and his team.
The chairman for the occasion, Nene Narh Guamatsu (IV) acting chief for Asutuare in his acceptance speech thanked all stakeholders, especially VRA for availing themselves for these important deliberations, and for organizing this program to sensitize us on the post-spillage happenings and precautions for future spillage.
The Presiding Member Hon Noah Sabutey in his welcome address thanked all stakeholders for taking out time to be present and pleaded with them to fully participate in the meeting so we understand the precautions we need to take in the future eventuality.
The Director for Environment and Sustainability for VRA Mr. Ben Sackey also thanked all the various stakeholders for making time to be here to participate in this all-important meeting. He further stated how essential it was for VRA knowing stakeholders can work hand in hand to ensure there is a disaster preparedness plan.
The Director for NADMO for the Shai-Osudoku District Mr. Nana Asante gave a brief presentation on what NADMO did before, during, and after the recent spillage. 
He further stated how they started sensitizing stakeholders in May last year before the spillage, how the rescue victims moved to safe locations and how they catered for them by providing food and other necessities with the help of NADMO, donor agencies, corporate organizations, individuals among others.
He acknowledged donor organizations for their invaluable support citing how Citi FM/TV built a shelter at Tokpo for the victims to be housed and taking care of their total welfare.
Engineer Akosua Owusu Efaa of VRA also did a presentation to show the trend of events from VRA's point of view, what needs to be done, and also areas likely to be affected in any future spillage as well as things to look out for in the future.
 She stated that 50,000 cubic meters of water would be spilled but the date will be communicated to all stakeholders, adding however that, Shai-Osudoku District is not part of the districts to be affected. 
There was an open forum where victims especially those whose farms were affected raised concerns about how they had been neglected but they were assured that the Agric department and the various stakeholders were working out something for them.
Another question that was raised was how VRA assists communities affected. The response was that first, one need to write a letter to VRA and express their concern then VRA will look at it and see if it is within their plans then they will assist.
Chairman for the occasion, Nene Narh Guamatsu (IV) expressed his gratitude to VRA, officials from the District Assembly and all stakeholders for making the meeting a successful one while looking forward to future engagement. 
SOURCE:ISD(SODA)