In late September 2023, the gates of the Akosombo Dam opened. Days later, water was running through the streets of Mepe, Battor and dozens of villages along the lower Volta.
The Akosombo Dam, completed in 1965 under Kwame Nkrumah, created Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world by surface area. It generates a large share of Ghana’s electricity. Building the dam flooded a huge area and displaced about 80,000 people, who were resettled in new towns, one of the costs of the project that is often forgotten. The Volta River Authority manages the dam and the Kpong Dam further downstream.
Why the spillways opened
Heavy rains in the Volta basin, which stretches into Burkina Faso, pushed the lake’s level close to its maximum. To protect the dam, the Volta River Authority began controlled spilling of water in September 2023. The volume was increased as inflows continued.
The flooding
Communities downstream in the Volta Region and Greater Accra, including Mepe, Battor, Sogakope and areas around Ada, were flooded. Homes, schools, churches, farms and fish ponds went under water. Tens of thousands of people were displaced and moved to temporary shelters in schools and churches. Roads and bridges were cut, and livestock was lost.
Warnings and anger
The VRA said it had warned communities before spilling. Many residents said the warnings were inadequate or came too late, and that they had not been told how high the water would rise. Politicians from the affected areas demanded compensation and accountability.
Relief
The government, the National Disaster Management Organisation, churches, businesses and individuals provided food, water, clothing and medical care. Volunteers organised donations through social media. Health workers warned of waterborne diseases in the shelters.
Recovery
When the water receded, families returned to damaged homes and lost crops. Schools were disrupted. Residents called for long-term measures, including better early warning systems, flood defences and relocation support.
A history of spillage
The VRA has spilled water in previous years, including 2010, but the 2023 flooding was among the worst in living memory for the lower Volta.
Lessons
Experts have called for better coordination with Burkina Faso’s Bagre Dam, whose spillage also affects northern Ghana, improved forecasting and clearer communication with communities.
Akosombo was built to power the nation. In 2023, the people living below it learned how much water it holds back.
