Ghanaians suffer flooding in yearly dam spillage ritual

By Umaru Sanda Amadu

ACCRA, Ghana 

Hundreds of Ghanaians face severe flooding around this time of year when authorities open spillway gates to one of the biggest dams in the country. 

The Weija Dam, located in western Accra, Ghana's capital, is situated on the Densu River that runs through several towns and villages.

The entire western Accra gets its potable water from the dam, operated by the state owned Ghana Water Company Limited.

This year, the spillage has become necessary due to rains that inundated the West African country in the past week. But the trouble was that the move had to come on Friday rather than Saturday as planned, giving residents little time to react.

“Individuals, institutions, organizations and companies with properties on the downstream side of the Dam must note that the opening of the spillway may cause massive flooding along the lower course of the Densu River,” a statement issued by the water company said on Friday.

The water company has advised property owners and residents “to take immediate precautionary measures to protect life and property.”

Earlier, residents in the affected communities told Anadolu Agency that they would not relocate, despite warnings from the company.

Ahead of the opening of gates on Friday, Dede Narh, a resident of Ada Kopey, said that the time notice was too short to evacuate.

“They just told us to evacuate because they will open the gates but how do they expect us to pack out within a day’s notice?” Narh said. 

Kwame Adai, a resident of Tetegu near Accra said: “I have a permit from the District Assembly to build my house here so I don’t see where I have to leave to.”

“If they knew they would open the gates, why didn’t they advise me when I was building my house?” Adai asked.

The resident threatened to sue the local assembly and the water company should his property be destroyed.

Activists are calling on the government to find a permanent fix to this recurring problem, say hundreds of lives can be saved if authorities find a creative solution.

The opening of the Weija Dam is an annual ritual during raining seasons. This week’s rains have led to an overflow of the river earlier than expected, making it necessary to spill the dam.

Previously, the opened waters ravaged through communities, causing casualties and loss of property.