The 2023/24 Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 5 fixture between Heart of Lions and Hearts of Oak has been indefinitely postponed.
The decision was announced by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Saturday as a result of the ongoing spillage of the Akosombo Dam, which has had far-reaching effects on the communities surrounding the match venue, WAFA Park in Sogakope.
A statement read, “The match-day 5 betPawa Premier League fixture between Heart of Lions FC and Accra Hearts Of Oak SC slated for Sunday, October 15, 2023 has been postponed indefinitely by the Ghana Football Association.
“This is due to the spillage of the Akosombo dam which has affected Sogakope.
“The GFA will continue to monitor the situation and announce a new date for the match in due course.”
This unplanned postponement is a direct consequence of the deliberate spillage initiated by the Volta River Authority (VRA) at the Akosombo and Kpong dams in the Eastern Region.
The VRA’s action was triggered by the excessive water levels in both reservoirs due to heavy rainfall, leading to the urgent need to relieve the pressure on the dams.
Sogakope, which is situated in the vicinity of the spillage, has been significantly impacted by the flooding caused by this exercise.
As a result, the GFA had no choice but to reschedule the Heart of Lions vs Hearts of Oak match, an event both teams and fans had been eagerly anticipating.
The Akosombo Dam spillage has led to severe flooding and damage, affecting multiple districts across the Volta and Eastern regions. Over 1,000 people have been displaced, and properties have been destroyed.
The spillage has caused infrastructure damage and forced numerous communities to evacuate. Roads have been cut off, and the situation remains precarious.
In response to the growing crisis, the government has established a 13-member inter-ministerial committee to coordinate assistance for victims affected by the Akosombo dam spillage.
This committee, chaired by Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, will work alongside several ministers, including the Minister of National Security, Minister for the Interior, Defence Minister, Energy Minister, Finance Minister, and the Minister of Local Government.
The spillage of the Akosombo Dam led to devastating flooding, which not only caused the postponement of a Ghana Premier League game but also had far-reaching impacts on the lives and properties of residents in affected areas.
The ongoing coordination efforts by the government will be instrumental in alleviating the suffering experienced by those affected by this crisis.
