Media debates not helping energy crisis - VRA Boss

Accra, July 23, GNA - Media debates on the energy crisis have not helped to address the situation very well, Mr Eric Yankah, Acting Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA), said on Monday.

"They have created in the minds of the public that it is business as usual and people still behave the same way. This is not a blame game because we need to work as a team to resolve the crisis as it should," he said.

Speaking at a media briefing on the current state of the Akosombo Hydro Power Station, Mr Yankah reiterated that what the technical experts had told Ghanaians about the shutting of the dam was the truth in its entirety.

"Technically we know we can do so (that is, continue to operate the two turbines at the current 234.96 feet) and technically we are doing so.

"There is ample water in the dam and absolutely no danger to the units we are running now," he said, but added that the VRA would decide by the end of this month, if the level continued to go down, whether to shut down one unit or not.

Mr Yankah further explained that as an institution VRA had not subjected its equipment to any peril.

"We are mindful of our responsibilities and we can assure the nation that every single equipment at Akosombo and Kpong Power stations is in excellent working condition.

"Let's be truthful to the facts and believe what the engineers are telling us."

The Acting Chief Executive said there was a physical team that conducted daily routine monitoring and reading the dam and equipment. Mr Yankah said: "VRA is being managed by highly professionally trained staff and is able to handle situations even at difficult times." He said the public attitude towards energy consumption had still not changed and called on Ghanaians to be responsible by using electricity wisely in such difficult times.