Akosombo, located in the Eastern Region of Ghana, is a destination renowned for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical importance. This attractive town is famous for the Akosombo Dam, an engineering marvel that has significantly contributed to Ghana's development.
The Akosombo Dam, also known as the Volta Dam, is a hydroelectric dam on the Volta River in southeastern Ghana in the Akosombo gorge and part of the Volta River Authority. The dam was built between 1961 and 1965. Its development was undertaken by the Ghanaian government and funded 25% by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development of the World Bank, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
In 1961, the Volta River Authority (VRA) was established by Ghana's Parliament through the passage of the Volta River Development Act. The VRA's primary task is to manage the development of the Volta River Basin, which included the construction and supervision of the dam, the power station and the power transmission network. In May 1960, the Ghana government called for tenders for construction of the hydroelectric dam. In 1961, an Italian consortium, Impregilo which had just completed the Kariba Dam, won the contract. Impreglio carried out the dredging of the river bed and dewatering of the channel, and completed the dam a month earlier than scheduled despite flooding of the Volta River in 1963 which delayed work over three months. Between 1961 and 1966, 28 workers of Impregilo died during the construction of the dam. Memorials in Akosombo township and St.
The dam is 660 m (2,170 ft) long and 114 m (374 ft) high, comprising a high rock-fill embankment dam. It has a base width of 366 m (1,201 ft) and a structural volume of 7,900,000 m3 (10,300,000 cu yd). On the east side of the dam are two adjacent spillways that can discharge about 34,000 m3/s (1,200,000 cu ft/s) of water. The dam's power plant contains six 170-megawatt (230,000 hp) Francis turbines.
The dam provides electricity to Ghana and its neighboring West African countries, including Togo and Benin. Initially 20% of Akosombo Dam's electric output (serving 70% of national demand) was provided to Ghanaians in the form of electricity, the remaining 80% was generated for Valco. The Ghana government was compelled, by contract, to pay for over 50% of the cost of Akosombo's construction, but the country was allowed only 20% of the power generated. Some commentators are concerned that this is an example of neocolonialism. Initially, the dam's power production capabilities greatly exceeded actual demand; while the demand since the dam's inception has resulted in the doubling of hydropower production.
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Ghana's industrial and economic expansion triggered higher demand for power, beyond the Akosombo's power plant capabilities. Increasing demands for power exceed what can be provided by the current infrastructure. In the beginning of 2007, concerns were expressed over the electricity supply from the dam because of low water levels in the Lake Volta reservoir. During the latter half of 2007, much of this concern abated when heavy rain fell in the catchment area of Volta River. In 2010, the highest-ever water level was recorded at the dam.
The construction of the dam flooded part of the Volta River Basin and led to the subsequent creation of Lake Volta. Lake Volta is the largest man-made lake in the world by surface area. It covers 8,502 square kilometres (3,283 sq mi), which is 3.6% of Ghana's land area. The reservoir created by the dam, Lake Volta, has a capacity of 148 km3 (120,000,000 acre⋅ft) and a surface area of 8,502 km2 (3,283 sq mi). The lake is 400 km (250 mi) long. Maximum lake level is 84.73 m (278.0 ft) and minimum is 73.15 m (240.0 ft).
The flooding that created the Lake Volta reservoir displaced many people and had a significant impact on the local environment, including seismic activity that led to coastal erosion; a changed hydrology caused microclimatic changes with less rain and higher temperatures. In the time following the construction of the dam, there has been a steady decline in agricultural productivity along the lake and the associated tributaries. The land surrounding Lake Volta is not nearly as fertile as the formerly cultivated land residing underneath the lake, and heavy agricultural activity has since exhausted the already inadequate soils. Downstream agricultural systems are losing soil fertility without the periodic floods that brought nutrients to the soil before the natural river flow was halted by the dam.
The growth of commercially intensive agriculture has produced a rise in fertilizer run-off into the river. This, along with run-off from nearby cattle stocks and sewage pollution, has caused eutrophication of the river waters. The nutrient enrichment, in combination with the low water movement, has allowed for the invasion of aquatic weeds (Ceratophyllum). The presence of Ceratophyllum along the lake and within the tributaries has resulted in even greater detriment to local human health. The weeds provide the necessary habitat for black-fly, mosquitoes and snails, which are the vectors of water-borne illnesses such as bilharzia, river blindness and malaria. Since the installation of the dam, these diseases have increased markedly. In particular, resettlement villages have shown an increase in disease prevalence since the establishment of Lake Volta, and a village's likelihood of infection corresponds to its proximity to the lake. Children and fishermen have been especially hard hit by this rise of disease prevalence. Additionally, the degradation of aquatic habitat has resulted in the decline of shrimp and clam populations.
The physical health of local communities has been diminished from this loss of shellfish populations, as they provided an essential source of dietary protein. Increased human migration within the area has been driven by poverty and unfavorable resettlement conditions. This migration exacerbated the spread of HIV and has led to its heightened prevalence within Volta Basin communities. The districts of Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo, which lie within the southwest portion of the Volta Basin, are predominantly indigenous communities and they have a disproportionate prevalence of HIV, showing how local factors have impacted these districts. The loss of land experienced by the 80,000 people forcibly relocated meant the loss of their primary economic activities from fishing and agriculture, loss of their homes, loss of their family grave sites, loss of community stability, and the eventual loss of important social values.
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The resettlement program demonstrated the social complexities involved in establishing "socially cohesive and integrated" communities. Insufficient planning resulted in the relocation of communities into areas that did not suit their former way of life and traditions. The loss of the naturally fertile soils beneath Lake Volta impacted traditional farming practices. The poor living conditions provided within the resettlement villages is evident from the reductions in population since resettlement. Reservoir-induced seismicity has been recorded because of the crustal re-adjustments from the added weight of the water within Lake Volta. There is an eastward shift of the river's mouth from the changes to the river's delta, and this has led to continuing coastal erosion. The changes in the river hydrology have altered the local heat budget which has caused microclimatic changes such as decreasing rain and higher mean monthly temperatures. All of these larger scale environmental impacts compound the problems surrounding disruptions to local economic activities and the associated difficult human welfare conditions.
A case study by the International Federation of Surveyors indicated that the dam has had a significant impact on the shoreline erosion of the barrier separating the Keta Lagoon from the sea. Dr. On 15 September 2023, the Volta River Authority (VRA) initiated a controlled spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams situated in the Eastern Region. This controlled spillage led to flooding in communities located along the lower Volta Basin leading to power interruptions.
Akosombo Dam
The Volta Hotel Akosombo
The Volta Hotel in Ghana provides a fantastic view of the lake, dam, and adjoining mountain slope. The Volta Hotel is situated on a 12.6-acre land overlooking the Volta Lake (the second largest man-made lake in the world) and the Akosombo hydroelectric dam. You can expect here at Volta Hotel Akosombo a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical significance. Volta Hotel Akosombo played host to numerous memorable historic events. These include the signing of the Liberian peace accord in 2002 and ECOWAS secretariat conferences. The hotel also earned numerous awards and recognition.
The hotel offers Standard and Twin Rooms, as well as Private Villas and Executive Suites. Each dwelling gives a vibe of sophisticated elegance and complete relaxation. What could be better than staying in a room of quiet elegance?
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Volta Hotel Akosombo
Things to do in Akosombo
For those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture, the Beads Factory Tour is a must-visit. Here, you can learn about the intricate process of bead-making, a traditional craft that has been passed down through generations. Nature enthusiasts will find solace in the tranquil surroundings of Lake Volta. A Lake Volta Cruise offers a serene escape, with the chance to relax and take in the stunning scenery. Whether you’re a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Akosombo has something to offer.
Why Ghana Deliberately Flooded 3.5% of Their Land
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