First person to swim across Volta River in Ghana
Ghanaian-British Yvette Tetteh becomes the 1st person to swim across Volta River in Ghana who became the first person to swim across the Volta River.
The 30-year-old said she did it to bring attention to the country’s rising water contamination.
Swimming across the Volta River with her expedition crew and the OR Foundation took her forty days.
Yvette stated she performed these acts to raise attention to the country’s rising water contamination. She works on microfiber contamination of Ghana’s water supplies.
The OR Foundation, which supports the 30-year-old’s swim and advocacy against textile waste, was present. They collected water and air samples along the way to study the sources of the water pollution.
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In less than a month, Yvette swam up to 14 kilometers per day. She began at Buipe and traveled to Akosombo, then to Ada. It took 40 days to complete the expedition.
The historic expedition saw several firsts, including the first swimming journey across the world’s largest man-made lake, the first solar-powered research vessel built in Ghana and launched in West Africa, and the first investigation into microfiber pollution along Ghana’s internal coastline (450 kilometers).
VOLTA RIVER IN GHANA
Note 📝: Lake Volta in Ghana is the world’s largest man-made lake in terms of surface area. It is approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) long and occupies 3,283 square miles (8,502 square kilometers), or 3.6 percent of Ghana’s land area.
The Volta River is a major river in Ghana, located in West Africa. It is the longest river in Ghana and spans a length of approximately 1,100 kilometers (680 miles). The river derives its name from the Volta Region, which is the easternmost region of Ghana and is named after the river.
The Volta River has a significant impact on the country’s geography, culture, and economy. It originates from the Burkina Faso border and flows southward through Ghana, eventually emptying into the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. The river basin covers a large area of Ghana, including the Volta Region and parts of the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions.
One of the most notable features of the Volta River is the Akosombo Dam, which was completed in 1965. The dam created Lake Volta, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, with an area of about 8,502 square kilometers (3,283 square miles). Lake Volta serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and fishing.
The Akosombo Dam and the associated Volta River Authority (VRA) hydroelectric power project have had a significant impact on Ghana’s electricity supply. The dam generates a substantial amount of the country’s electricity, contributing to Ghana’s power infrastructure and industrial development.
Additionally, the Volta River and Lake Volta support a variety of economic activities. Fishing is a major industry along the river and lake, providing livelihoods for many communities. The water resources also support irrigation for agricultural activities, particularly in the Volta Region, known for its fertile lands.
Overall, the Volta River is a vital natural resource for Ghana, playing a crucial role in energy production, agriculture, fisheries, and transportation. It holds both economic and cultural significance for the country and its people.
