The Ghana Maritime Authority reportedly spent approximately GH¢87,625,090.96 million to remove tree stumps on the Volta Lake between 2019 and 2023.

This expenditure, according to a myjoyonline.com report was highlighted in the Auditor General's performance report on the safety of inland water transport on the Volta Lake, indicating that the funds were used to eliminate a total of 21,265 tree stumps on the country's largest inland waterway.

The operation was conducted by one Kete Krachi Timber Recovery (KKTR) Limited, with an audit of the project taking place between January and March 2024.

The removal of the tree stumps on the Volta Lake spanned a distance of 68 meters high and 300 meters wide, covering five inland waterways, namely Yeji–Mankango, Yeji–Awujakope, Dambai-Njare, Bridge Ano–Ntoaboma Crossing, and Agordeke waterways.

In total, the Ghana Maritime Authority identified 21,268 tree stumps, of which 21,265 were successfully removed during the operation. The remaining tree stumps were left untouched due to religious reasons identified by the Authority.

The report detailed the breakdown of the expenses, revealing that along the Yeji-Mankango waterway, 3,553 tree stumps were identified, with 3,550 being removed in 2019 at a cost of GH¢9,587,500 million.

In 2020, a total of 4,723 stumps were removed in the Yeji-Awujakope area at the cost of GH¢11,484,306 million.

Furthermore, in 2021, the Ghana Maritime Authority spent GH¢19,971,372.96 million to eliminate 10,499 stumps on the Dambai-Njare stretch of the water. In 2022, GH¢13,138,488 million was spent to remove 1,179 stumps on the Bridge Ano-Notoaboma crossing area.

The Auditor General's performance report also highlighted that in 2023, the GMA spent GH¢33,443,424 million to remove tree stumps along the Agordeke enclave, representing the highest expenditure during the five-year project.

The initiative to remove these tree stumps was part of efforts to reduce waterway accidents that occasionally occur on the Volta Lake.

MA

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