Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has hinted at plans by President John Dramani Mahama to find a lasting solution to the perennial flooding associated with the annual spillage of the Bagre Dam.
According to the Minister, the President is considering the construction of small dugouts in strategic communities to capture excess water released during the annual spillage for use in dry-season farming.
Mr Atanga said the proposal is intended to move communities from repeatedly suffering the consequences of the spillage to benefiting from the water as an agricultural resource.
He disclosed this when he visited Sapelega in the Bawku West District on Thursday to assess the situation following the ongoing spillage of the Bagre Dam.
He was accompanied by the Bawku West District Chief Executive, James Ayamwego, and officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Mr Atanga said the proposed dugouts would be located away from the riverbanks and designed to collect and store some of the water released during the spillage.
“So that when the spillage is done, then the waters can be collected over there. And when it comes to dry season, those hold-up areas, the water will still be there for us to do the dry-season farming, so that we will see the spillage of the Bagre Dam to be a blessing instead of being a curse,” he said.
The Minister said the proposal reflects President Mahama’s search for a more sustainable approach to a problem that has confronted communities along the White Volta for years.
“President John Dramani Mahama is thinking outside the box to see how we’ll be able to address this perennial problem so that it shouldn’t be ritual for us every year when it comes to the rainy season,” he stated.
The annual spillage of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso has historically raised water levels along the White Volta and exposed downstream communities in northern Ghana to flooding, with farmlands, homes and livelihoods often at risk.
Mr Atanga said capturing and storing some of the excess water could serve a dual purpose — reducing the vulnerability of communities while creating an additional source of water for dry-season agriculture.
The proposed intervention comes as the current spillage, which commenced on August 28, continues to raise concerns among communities along the White Volta.
The Regional Minister said the Bawku West District Assembly and NADMO had sensitised communities after authorities were notified about the planned spillage.
He, however, cautioned residents to remain vigilant and avoid the riverbanks, particularly children, as rainfall and changes in water levels could increase the risk of sudden flooding.
“People should stay away from the riverbanks. We shouldn’t be closer to the riverbank, especially the children. Don’t let them get closer,” he cautioned.
While assuring affected communities of continued government support, Mr Atanga said the government would continue to pursue measures aimed at addressing the recurring effects of the Bagre Dam spillage.
For communities that face the phenomenon almost every rainy season, the proposed dugouts could mark a significant change in approach, from responding to the consequences of the spillage after it occurs to planning ahead to capture the water and put it to productive use.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Bawku West
