The Chiefs and people of Fodzoku, a community in the North Tongu District of the Volta region, have expressed regrets in releasing over 3,100 acres of their fertile lands on which the government has built the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) Kpong Hydroelectric Dam.
At a grand durbar held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 to climax the celebration of their annual Gligbaza, the traditional authorities voiced concerns about the failed promises made to them several decades ago, prior to the government taking their lands to build the plant that now generates close to 150 Megawatts (MW) of power to light the nation.
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The Kpong Hydro Dam is ‘run-of-the-river’ plant downstream from Akosombo Dam providing a significant portion of Ghana’s power.
Delivering his address on the theme: ‘Driving Change: Community action for potable water sustainability’. acting Paramount Chief of Fodzoku Traditional Area, Togbe Kwasi Misrobi III who is also the Manklalo for the area, highlighted the lack of job opportunities at the VRA, access to safe drinking water and the poor state of local roads, among others, as the daily struggles faced by the community.
According to him: “There were a lot of houses that were supposed to be built for the citizens of Fodzoku…We petitioned the Government through the VRA (sic) severally but no response. We are still expecting these houses to be built for us. When this continues to fail, we would then unfold our plan ‘B’.”
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Togbe Misrobi III also found it intriguing that, the VRA, which has sponsored some citizens with some obtaining Masters and Ph.D in various fields that are directly linked to its operations, does not consider them for employment opportunities even when they table their applications. The situation he noted, compels such young persons to move out of the community in search of non-existing jobs in the cities.
“…It would be our greatest joy if our young men [and women] would be considered with some offers when opportunities come up to enable them stay within the community and work to earn a livelihood after they had spent years acquiring training in schools. This when done, can make them key contributors to the development of the community.” he appealed.
The Manklalo, therefore, appealed to the VRA “to take to heart and fulfil their promise by building our unbuilt houses, providing us toilet facilities, helping us to repair our roads and drainage system and considering our professionals for employment.”
Despite the numerous challenges the community has with the VRA, the chief also commended management of the power generating company for their support for educational institutions in the community, awarding various scholarships to Fodzoku citizens at the senior high school and tertiary levels as well as the continuous support towards the annual Gligbaza with cash donations.
In her response, Principal Community Relations Officer of VRA, Mrs. Rhoda Arthur, stated that the VRA remains very much commitment to the development of Fodzoku hence their continuous support towards the community.
Mrs. Arthur, however, urged the traditional authorities to use appropriate channels to for any issues they may have with the VRA in order to have those issues resolved.
