Govt Finalising Compensation for Akosombo Spillage Victims

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government is in the final stages of completing the verification and administrative processes required to compensate victims of the 2023 Akosombo Dam spillage.

Speaking during his Resetting Ghana tour of the Volta Region on Thursday, the President assured affected residents that the compensation process would be transparent, fair and accountable, stressing that the government remains committed to supporting communities that suffered losses from the disaster.

The 2023 spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams displaced thousands of residents and destroyed homes, farmlands, businesses and other sources of livelihood across several communities in the Volta Region.

In the 2025 Budget Statement, the government earmarked GH¢225 million to provide relief and compensation for victims of the disaster. President Mahama indicated that additional funds would be made available in the next budget if the allocated amount proves inadequate to cover all eligible beneficiaries.

Reflecting on the impact of the disaster, the President acknowledged the sacrifices and resilience demonstrated by residents.

“The resilience of the people of this region has been tested in recent years. The spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams caused significant hardship for many families, affecting homes, farms, businesses and livelihoods across several communities. The government has remained fully engaged in addressing the aftermath of that unfortunate event.”

He disclosed that the processes needed to facilitate compensation are nearing completion.

“The necessary verification, assessment and administrative processes relating to compensation are being concluded. And I wish to assure all affected people that the government remains committed to ensuring that the process is finalised fairly, transparently and responsibly.”

President Mahama further announced that compensation payments would commence once the ongoing processes are completed.

“Once this process is finalised, the Minister of Finance will make an allocation in this year’s budget to start the payment of compensation.”

The announcement is expected to bring renewed hope to thousands of affected residents who have awaited compensation since the devastating floods caused by the controlled spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams nearly three years ago.