The Akosombo Dam as a Political Symbol

‘The Akosombo Dam across the Volta River in Ghana remains at the center of debates and imaginations about nationhood, modernity, and development’ (Miescher, 2014)

There are a myriad of complex reasons behind the construction of water management systems and this blog post will focus on the utilisation of Dams as a political statement. I will explore the Akosombo Dam in Ghana and the political symbolisms and personality politics involved with its creation.

Background and context

The plans for the Akosombo Dam were formulated in 1915 during British colonial rule, however financing issues meant it wasn’t until Ghana’s Independence that the project began (Miescher, 2014). It was eventually opened in 1965 providing 912 megawatts of power to Ghana, 80% of which went to US–owned Volta Aluminium Company for Aluminium smelting (GhanaWeb, 1994). With Ghana gaining independence in 1957, the Akosombo Dam is central to post-colonial era politics and Kwame Nkrumah’s, the then president, dream of a united Africa. Thus the Akosombo Dam represents power in dual senses of the world; Nkrumah’s power to consolidate his presidency and Ghana’s success, as well as electrical power needed to develop industry within Ghana. This article will discuss the politics and motivations behind the construction of the dam, both domestic and international, set in the context of post-colonialism and African aspirations.

 

Map of Ghana highlighting the Akosombo Dam and subsequent creation of Lake Volta
(Cool Geography, 2014)

Domestic Politics

The ‘Volta River Project straddles the colonial and postcolonial divide’ (Miescher, 2014).  and was poignant in the establishment of Ghana as a postcolonial, independent nation. The era of the 1950’s and 60’s saw the rise of modernisation theory discourse; the view that ‘traditional’ countries can develop following a western model of industrialisation for example Rostow’s Model of growth. Thus, the Akosombo dam was viewed as critically important in Ghana’s industrial development, providing power for industries such as aluminium smelting and manufacturing (Miescher, 2014). Furthermore the Volta River Project held great symbolism as a ‘place of pilgrimage in a modern age of science and technology’ and a ‘monument to the determination to reach a fuller and richer life’ (Nkrumah, 1963). Thus developmentalist discourse of this era, combined with Ghana’s aspirations to be self-sufficient and independent, emphasize the significance of the Akosombo Dam not just as a pathway to industrialisation but also as a symbol of Ghana’s independence and modernity.

The Akosombo Dam also signifies the importance of personality politics within water management schemes. The building of the dam was central to Nkrumah’s dream of creating a modern and unified Africa built on industrialisation leading to the dam being colloquially known as ‘Nkrumah’s baby’ (Daily Graphic, 1962). Yet this also led to grievances with the project being tied to Nkrumah. Eventually he was overthrown in a military coup in 1966 due to a ‘lack of democratic practices’; arguably the Akosombo Dam could be a symbol of these.

Kwame Nkrumah, President of Ghana 1957-1966

International Politics

The Volta River Project also features as an international political conflict of interest. Bediako Poku, a Ghanaian politician at the time described the project as ‘economic enslavement’ (Miescher, 2014). and highlighted the neo-colonialism of the project. For example, whilst the Ghanaian government paid for 50% of the cost the country was only allocated 20% of the power generated; the other 80% went to VALCO, the US-owned company operating the dam (Okoampa-Aboofe, 2008). Poku further called for an ‘economic africanisation’ (Miescher, 2014), training African technicians and accountants to be employed in the scheme. This example highlights Ghana’s dream of uniting a colonised and divided African continent, but the actuality of continued western power over Africa. This is particularly pertinent as ‘Nkrumah’s Baby’ was in reality not the symbol of independence it promised to be, rather a project profiting US business. Clearly the Akosombo Dam was a project not shaped by idealism, or water management priorities but powerful global actors.

 List of References

Cool Geography (2014) Development in Ghana. Available at: http://www.coolgeography.co.uk/9/Development/Ghana/ghana.jpg (Accessed: 22 November 2016). 

Daily Graphic (1962) - The Co-Operator 1, no. 20, Feb 1962; 27 March 1962, pp. 6–7. DG

GhanaWeb (1994) History of Akosombo dam. Available at: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/history/akosombo_dam.php (Accessed: 22 November 2016). 

Miescher, S.F. (2014) ‘“Nkrumah’s Baby”: The Akosombo dam and the dream of development in Ghana, 1952–1966’, Water History, 6(4), pp. 341–366. 

Nkrumah K (1997 [1963]) The Volta River Project: national assembly, 25 March 1963. In: Obeng S (compiler) selected speeches: Kwame Nkrumah, vol. 5. Afram Publications, Accra, pp 20–24 

Okoampa-Ahoofe, K. (2008) NPP cuts sod for Bui dam. Available at: https://www.modernghana.com/news/141837/npp-cuts-sod-for-bui-dam.html (Accessed: 22 November 2016).