Looming energy crisis as water level in Akosombo Dam falls

Ghana is likely to be thrown into darkness again, if the water level in the Akosombo dam does not increase in the next few weeks or months. The current level is below the minimum required level of 248 feet.

The country, experienced a serious power problem three years ago as a result of the low level of water in the dam. Another energy crisis according to economic analysts will be disastrous for an economy that is just trying to pick up again. Records at the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), the single largest consumer of electricity from the Akosombo dam, show that the current water level is about 246 instead of the 248 feet.

VALCO's Manager responsible for Training and Development, Ebo Quarm describes the current water level in the Akosombo Dam as threatening. "The level of the lake is very precarious. Even though it is raining, the water level is lower than what we were experiencing at the same time last year and this is very serious," he noted.