The Volta River Authority (VRA) is preparing an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the Akosombo and Kpong dams to ensure that both facilities are operated in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The preparation and implementation of the EMP for the two dams is to fulfil a key legal requirement of the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as required by the Environmental Assessment Regulation LI 1652, 1999.
Mr Kweku Awortwi, Chief Executive of the VRA, in an address read for him at a day's stakeholder workshop in Accra on Wednesday, said the move was in accordance with current best practices in environmental management such as the ISO 14000.
He said the EMP also fulfilled VRA's mandate under the Volta River Development Act 46, 1961.
Under it the company is obliged to provide, as far as practicable, facilities and assistance for the development of the lake as a source of viable economic activities and lakeside area for the health and well-being of its inhabitants.
It is also an important requirement by international funding agencies such as the World Bank for such facilities.
The workshop is one of a number of planned interactions with stakeholders to identify the environmental impacts of the dams and outline measures to mitigate them.
The preparation of the EMP forms part of consulting services being provided by the Association of Royal Haskoning, Netherlands and Norway, who are undertaking the evaluation and assessment of dam safety for the Akosombo and Kpong generation stations as well as the preparation of an emergency preparedness plan for the facilities.
Mr Awortwi reiterated that the VRA was conscious of its obligations to safeguard the environment in its operations as indicated in its Corporate Environmental Policy Statement and would continue to perform its role and obligation as part of its mandate.
He tasked the participants to cooperate with the consultants to produce a realistic and practical EMP for both dams.
Mr Kirk Kofie, Deputy Chief Executive Engineering and Operations of the VRA, also noted that the Authority took its responsibilities seriously and had over the years initiated numerous programmes to mitigate potential impacts of its operations.
He said the VRA would not relent in fulfilling this obligation, saying, "We will continue to strive to mitigate the social and environmental impacts of the two dams as a result of its operations."
The EMP has a three-year time horizon that is subject to update every three years.
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