After the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams in October 2023, downstream communities were hit hard by severe flooding. These dams, located in the Eastern Region of Ghana on the Volta River, released an unprecedented amount of water due to higher-than-normal inflows into the reservoirs.

The Akosombo Dam, with a reservoir capacity of 150 billion cubic meters and spanning over 8,502 square kilometers, rarely experiences spillage according to the Volta River Authority (VRA), which operates both dams. However, water levels surpassed the maximum level of 276 feet, reaching 276.92 feet on October 12, 2023.

In response to the situation, the VRA activated its Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and implemented stage 3 spillage to prevent dam top over. As a result, an excessively large volume of water, up to 183,000 cubic feet per second, was released from the dam. Unfortunately, this led to devastating flooding in downstream communities.

This report analyzes the significant impact of the 2023 floods caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams on downstream communities. Using geographic information technology techniques, the report simulates potential inundation areas to assess the extent of the flooding. It also examines the ecological and socio-economic consequences of the floods, identifying areas in urgent need of intervention.

Furthermore, the report assesses the damage to crucial infrastructure systems like water, sanitation, and health. It offers recommendations to address the challenges faced by these systems in the aftermath of the flooding and presents relief intervention suggestions to support the affected communities effectively. By providing comprehensive analysis and recommendations, this report aims to assist relief efforts and aid in the recovery process of the affected communities.