Farmers in northern Ghana say the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso has begun spilling, forcing them to harvest crops early. They warn that rising waters from the Volta Lake are already flooding nearby farms and could submerge entire fields within days.
The spillage was originally scheduled for August 27, but farmers insist Sonabel, managers of the dam, began releasing water early. In Pwalugu, Upper East Region, maize is being harvested prematurely as residents scramble to save what they can.
Six years after the launch of the Pwalugu multi-purpose dam project, construction has stalled, leaving farmers frustrated. Many argue that the abandoned project is the only permanent solution to the annual flooding caused by the Bagre Dam. Assemblyman for Pwalugu, Moses Adongo, said the release should always be done earlier to reduce its impact on communities.
NADMO Disputes Farmers’ Claims
While farmers maintain that the spillage has begun, officials at NADMO insist Ghana has not yet been affected. Richmond Amoh Yartey, Director of Inspectorate at NADMO, explained that the agency has been in communication with Sonabel and the Water Resources Commission for weeks.
“There’s been regular communication between Sonabel and the Water Resources Commission so we were fully aware that the dam levels in the Bagre were rising, and then it would get to a point that they may have to spill. So we started working in the four regions that are usually affected by the floods. Safe havens have been identified, evacuation routes have all been identified in the four regions for people to move when need be,” he explained.
He added that as of now, there is no confirmation of water from the Bagre Dam entering Ghana, though it is expected within 24 hours. He argued that recent rainfall in parts of the Savannah Region, however, has already raised water levels higher than usual.
Preparedness Measures
NADMO says it is fully prepared to handle any disaster should the spillage eventually affect communities. Yartey disclosed that the agency has made arrangements to support up to 5,000 people who may be displaced.
“NADMO with other collaborated agencies, police, fire, armed forces, ambulance, we are all on the ground and ready to deal with any eventuality that will arise out of it,” he assured.
As uncertainty grows, farmers are renewing calls for government to complete the stalled Pwalugu multi-purpose dam project. They argue it remains the only sustainable solution to the destruction caused by the yearly spillage of the Bagre Dam.
Until then, residents in northern Ghana continue to live with the fear of losing their crops and livelihoods whenever the waters are released.
