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Akosombo Dam spillage: Vome residents fear potential famine
A flooded portion of the communtiy
Residents of Vome, a farming community in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region and surrounding communities fear the devastating effect of the Akosombo Dam spillage could lead to famine in the area that could spread across other parts of the country.
The area is home to the cultivation of important crops such as cassava, maize, pepper, groundnuts and other staple crops.
And, a large quantity of these crops were destroyed as a result of the spillage that caused similar or even greaterwreckage to other communities along the banks of the river.
Over a month after the exercise to save the Akosombo Dam, Ghana’s largest hydro power generating plant, residents of Vome and its neighbouring communities have been rendered jobless.
They have been robbed of their daily farming activities and are currently surviving on the benevolence of individual donors and organisations.
But of greater concern to the inhabitants of the area, mostly farmers, is a fore seen food shortage to hit the area and its impact on Ghana’s food basket,with cassava and maize especially being one of Ghana’s agricultural mainstay.
Speaking to The Spectator on their behalf by the Assembly Member for the VomeElectoral Area, Mr Gabriel Kwame Wetsi confirmed, that a lot of farm produce like cassava, maize, pepper groundnuts and other staples were destroyed by the flood waters.
To him, the danger lies with the period it might take for the water to recede for farming activities to resume.
“This might lead to famine in some few months because even if the water recedes, it will take about six months to a year for the land to regain its fertility before we can start growing crops,” he said.
“This would obviously create a food shortage in the country because what it means is that the maize, cassava and other staples from this region will not come and would put pressure on those from the other regions,” he said.
Until the water recedes for the farmers to return to their farms, MrWetsi urged the government to support the people in the Vome area and its surrounding towns, since they have all lost their livelihood.
One of the community elders, Dzikpuitor Daniel Kuleke who engaged The Spectator on its tour of the area, said thewater they use for their daily activities was no longer safe for use, explaining that the spillage had washedaway theirplaces of convenience and other properties.
He said the stagnant water in the area were breeding a lot of mosquitoes,pointing out that it was no longer safe to stay outside after 5pm.
He therefore appealed to corporate bodies, individuals and government to come to their aid with drinking water, food items and clothing to help them survive, until they are able to return to their normal lives.
One of the affected victims, Georgina Wetsisaid “I am currently sleeping in someone’s house together with my children. I have lost my home which has six rooms as well as my farm.”
From Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu, Vome
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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There is strength in diversity; let’s live in peace – Zanetor Rawlings urges Ghanaians
Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to value the peace the country enjoys and to see diversity as a source of strength.
Speaking at the National Youth Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre under the theme “Igniting Potential; Inspiring Change”, she warned against being lured into conflicts and divisions fueled by reckless statements from politicians, traditional leaders, religious figures, or academics.
According to her, many young people have no idea what it means to live in a country torn apart by war, and therefore must not take Ghana’s peace for granted.
She stressed that the harmony among different ethnic and regional groups should be protected at all costs, since it is peace that allows citizens to gather freely and safely.
Dr. Zanetor said Ghana’s development depends on embracing diversity and working together.
She urged the youth to tap into this strength so that Ghana would continue to shine as the “Black Star” of Africa and serve as an example for other nations.
She expressed appreciation to the participants for attending the conference and asked for God’s blessings on the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
