The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has invested a staggering GHC87.63 million in a five-year project to clear tree stumps from the Volta Lake, the largest inland waterway in Ghana.
The extensive operation, carried out by Kete Krachi Timber Recovery (KKTR) Ltd. is said to enhance the safety of navigation on the lake by removing 21,265 out of 21,268 identified tree stumps.
The project spanned from 2019 to 2023 and focused on key inland waterways including Yeji–Mankango, Yeji–Awujakope, Dambai-Njare, Bridge Ano–Ntoaboma Crossing, and Agordeke. The removal efforts covered a total area of 68 meters high within a 300-meter width.
The breakdown of the expenditure includes:
– 2019: GHC9.59 million was spent to remove 3,550 tree stumps from the Yeji-Mankango waterway.
– 2020: GHC11.48 million was allocated to remove 4,723 stumps from the Yeji-Awujakope area.
– 2021: GHC19.97 million was used to clear 10,499 stumps from the Dambai-Njare stretch.
– 2022: GHC13.14 million was spent to remove 1,179 stumps from the Bridge Ano-Ntoaboma Crossing area.
– 2023: GHC33.44 million was the highest amount spent to remove 1,317 stumps from the Agordeke enclave.
Despite the substantial costs, the Auditor General’s recent performance report highlighted safety concerns. The report, conducted between January and March 2024, noted that some tree stumps remain in the Yeji-Mankango area due to religious reasons.
Additionally, the Auditor General emphasized that ongoing risks remain due to the presence of unremoved stumps and recommended that GMA expedite further assessments and removal efforts to improve safety on the lake.
The presence of tree stumps on the Volta Lake has long been a hazard, contributing to numerous accidents involving loss of life and goods.
