Volta River Authority

Box 77

About

The Authority's first hydroelectric station is the Akosombo Generation station.Studies into the potential for damming the Volta River for electricity generation was started in 1915. The first stage of the construction began in 1961 when the Volta River project was established and work started on the Akosombo dam and Power Station.Four units with total installed capacity of 588MW were completed in 1965 marking an important step for industrialization and economic growth of the newly independent state of Ghana.The plant was formally commissioned by Ghana 's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in January 1966.The Volta Dam was officially opened by Nkrumah on 22rd January 1966.Kwame Nkruma described it as 'the greatest of all our development projects'.VRA, being mindful of its social responsibility in its operational areas continues to implement various programmes aimed at mitigating the adverse environmental effects of its operations, and ensuring the well-being of the communities of the Volta Basin.VRA also operates a well-equipped medical ship, the Onipa Nua, on the Volta Lake and provides free medical services to the communities along the Volta Lake .The Authority undertakes environmental programmes such as dredging activities at the estuary of the Volta River to reduce the incidence of Bilharzia, and to restore the ecosystem in the area. In addition, various afforestation projects are being carried out to restore vegetation on the highlands bordering the Volta Lake .
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