The President, John Dramani Mahama, has warned that the Chief Executive and deputies of the Volta River Authority (VRA) will be sacked if another devastating flood disaster occurs due to mismanagement of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.

Speaking during a national address to mark his first 120 days in office, the President said recommendations from a committee set up to probe the October 2023 dam spillage must be implemented without delay.

The committee, chaired by former VRA Chief Executive Engineer Kirk Koffi, was tasked with investigating the causes and consequences of the spillage that displaced tens of thousands of people.

“I further indicated that if they are not properly implemented and another destructive VRA flooding occurs like in 2023, the VRA CEO and deputies must resign or be sacked,” the President said.

The committee recommended the establishment of a Controlled Spill Flood Plan and the rollout of downstream engineering solutions to better manage future flood risks. It also called for enhanced emergency response mechanisms and coordination among key agencies.

The Akosombo Dam spillage in October 2023 led to catastrophic flooding across multiple communities in the Volta, Eastern, and Greater Accra regions. More than 35,000 people were displaced, homes and farmlands were destroyed, and several schools and health facilities were forced to shut down.

The disaster sparked national outrage, with many accusing the VRA of failing to issue timely warnings or prepare adequately for the impact.

President Mahama described the event as a man-made disaster and reaffirmed his commitment to compensating affected families and rehabilitating flood-hit communities. He said the government would not tolerate negligence at the highest levels of state institutions.