As Burkina Faso Announces Bagri Dam Spillage
By Gifty Boateng
Authorities in Burkina Faso have announced plans to commence the annual controlled water spillage from the Bagri Dam next week which has potential to wreak havoc to lives and properties in parts of Ghana.
Ahead of the exercise, the Water Resources Commission (WRC) has issued a public communication warning individuals residing in the catchment areas in Ghana to prepare themselves for the impending spillage.
According to the Commission, the current water level at the Bagré Dam stands at 232.93 metres, representing a 62.77 per cent filling rate. The update was provided by SONABEL, the operators of the Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso.
A press release dated August 4, 2026, said this spillage is slated to begin on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, if the reservoir level reaches 234.00 metres.
But a the issue of Bagri Dam spillage exercise nears time, outstanding issues concerning the Akosombo Dam in the Eastern Region are still pending.
A while back, the Dam was reportedly being prepared to spill water due to rapid rise in water levels, in order to protect the life of the national asset at a time compensation packages for similar spillage in 2023 are yet to be paid to affected residents.
The decision was informed by the continuous rainfall which increased inflows beyond its maximum operating level of 276 feet and 150 billion cubic meters of storage capacity, for effective management.
The New Republic was informed that, the spillage was also due to concerns that the estuary which joins the Dam was blocked with sand and authorities were unable to dredge to pave way for natural floor of the water into the ocean.
The inactivity was blamed on inability of the Volta River Authority (VRA) to dredge the estuary because the machine for the exercise had been sold to businessman and entrepreneur Daniel MacKorley popularly known as MacDan.
There were expectations of the spillage and the likelihood discomfort to residents around the facility in areas including the Upper to Southern Volta.
The last time the Dam also known as the Volta Dam was spilled was in September 2023 where several volumes of water eased out and several residents were displaced.
The controlled release of water to prevent dam overflow resulted in widespread flooding and displacement of tens of thousands of people.
The spillage caused flooding along the Volta River, particularly affecting low-lying areas in the North and Central Tongu districts, including Mepe, Battor, Sogakope, Mafi, Adidome, Kpong, and Ada.
Flood depths reached 3–5 meters in some areas, displacing an estimated 38,624 people, including children, and causing significant loss of homes, belongings, and livelihoods.
Over 100communities were affected, highlighting the extensive social and economic disruption.
Deservedly, the affected communities and individuals were earmarked for compensation by the then Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, under former Akufo-Addo government. The entire area including mortuaries were submerged into water.
It was that same unprecedented disaster that the President then passed his controversial comment that, his visit was not political and that it was to sympathize with the victims, regardless of whether they voted for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“When these things happen and the government acts, politics does not come into the matter at all. When I took the Oath of Office as President, I took the oath as president for every single individual in Ghana, all people in Ghana, all districts, and whether they voted for me or not, once I have taken the oath, I am the President of all the people”.
Till date, compensation packages have not completed even under the current government promised to pay them and made allocation last year.
The last time President John Mahama visited Fuveme in the Volta Region, when tidal waves ravaged the area, he promised the dredging of the river outlets that can contain any spill into the sea but it appears this is yet to be done. It not clear if this has delayed due to the absence of the machine or not.
In August 2025, the Mepe Traditional Council (MTC) appealed to the government to consider the plight of victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage, and rapidly facilitate the compensation process to enable them to lead meaningful lives and contribute to national development.
According to the MTC, the poor living conditions of the flood victims was a major development challenge confronting the area, which called for pragmatic efforts to address the problem.
The Mankralo of the Mepe Traditional area, Togbe Korsi Nego made the appeal at a durbar on Saturday to climax activities marking the 69th Afenorto festival at Mepe in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region on the theme: ‘’Uniting for Peace and Development; Post VRA Akosombo Dam Flood Disaster’’.
In the case of the Bagri Dam, the Commission cautioned that once the controlled spillage begins, water levels in the White Volta River and possibly other tributary water bodies are expected to rise significantly, increasing the risk of flooding in downstream communities.
Residents living along the White Volta River and adjoining areas have therefore been advised to take precautionary measures and strictly adhere to safety directives issued by their respective Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other relevant state agencies.
The WRC urged the public, particularly those in flood-prone communities, to remain alert, avoid activities near riverbanks, relocate livestock and valuable property from low-lying areas where necessary, and closely monitor official updates as weather conditions and reservoir levels continue to be assessed.
The annual controlled spillage of the Bagré Dam has historically resulted in flooding in several downstream communities in northern Ghana, causing damage to homes, farmlands, roads and other infrastructure while displacing hundreds of residents. Authorities are therefore calling on all potentially affected communities to prepare early to minimise the impact of any flooding.
The Water Resources Commission said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide timely updates to the public as developments unfold.