Akosombo Dam

　　The Akosombo Dam is situated on the Volta River in the eastern region of Ghana. It is a multi-purpose project designed to harness the water resources of the Volta River, providing benefits such as power generation, flood control, irrigation, navigation, and fisheries. Construction of the dam began in May 1961 and it became operational in 1966. It is an exceptionally grand and impressive structure. The main dam is a central clay-core rock-fill dam, with a crest elevation of 88.39 meters, a crest length of 640 meters, a crest width of 12.2 meters, and a base width of 390 meters. The maximum height of the dam reaches 141 meters. The reservoir has a total storage capacity of 148 billion cubic meters, and the power station has an installed capacity of 882,000 kilowatts, generating 5.625 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

　　Before the construction of the Akosombo Dam, the Volta River was like a rampaging lion, constantly wreaking havoc on the region. However, after the dam was built, the lion was tamed and transformed into a gentle lamb. The dam has made tremendous contributions to the development of the area. With the completion of the dam, a modern town—Akosombo—emerged nearby. Nestled against green hills and overlooking the lake, the town features uniquely designed hotels, restaurants, clubs, and other buildings nestled among lush trees and flowers. Every day, numerous tourists from around the world visit for vacation and sightseeing, bringing significant economic opportunities and momentum to the region’s development.

　　Akosombo Dam Reason to Visit: One of the most spectacular dams in the world Continent: Africa Country/Region: Ghana Province/State: Eastern Region