Project Title: Re-optimisation and Re-operation of the Akosombo and Kpong dams

Project Implementation period: 2013-2017

Project lead: Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu

Project description:

Development of rivers for hydropower has conventionally come at a high cost in terms of riverine livelihoods and ecosystems. The Akosombo dam, which was completed in 1965, formed Lake Volta, the largest man-made water storage reservoir in Africa and the world. Despite their huge national benefits, the Akosombo and Kpong dams have impacted on the livelihoods of the downstream communities and the physical ecosystem processes on which they depend. The project, Reoptimization and Reoperation of Akosombo and Kpong dams, was meant to address the negative environmental impacts of the current operations by introducing modifications in the downstream flows to improve livelihoods.

Project Donor: African Water Facility of the African Development Bank

Objectives:

1. to provide a platform to create awareness of the project, manage the expectations of the downstream communities, provide feedback on the project on current downstream issues and seek the consent of the communities on the project;
2. identify the major environmental and livelihood issues arising out of the post-dams flow regime for redress; and establish baseline data on measurable and quantifiable parameters before the envisaged interventions to enable comparisons to be made with the status after the interventions;
3. to do a literature search and summary report on all parameters pertaining to environmental and livelihood flow requirements. The importance of the literature review is to put into perspective the concept of the project in relation to existing information on key project objectives;
4. to assess the extent of the perceived impact of the dam operation on the livelihood of the downstream communities through qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches.
5. further interactions with riparian communities to present them with the various scenario options to enable them to make informed choices.
6. to compile all reports from the project into an edited book

Activities:

1. i.Conducting community consultations in downstream communities of the Akosombo and Kpong dams;
2. Literature searches on all parameters pertaining to environmental and livelihood flow requirements;

Outputs:

1. A report on the prevailing issues and expectations of the downstream communities were compiled into a report;
2. A report on parameters pertaining to environmental livelihood flow requirements;
3. A report that assesses the extent of the perceived impact of the dam operation on the livelihood of the downstream communities through qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches;
4. An edited book on the various reports from the project.