The National Disaster Management Organization, (NADMO) has intensified sensitization of communities in Northern Ghana to move to higher grounds in anticipation of the spillage of the Bagre dam in Burkina Faso.
As part of efforts to save lives and minimize the loss of property, NADMO has enlisted the support of traditional authorities, to increase their sensitization drive to get people living along the White Volta to move away from flood-prone areas.
Director-General of NADMO, Eric Agyeman Prempeh in an interview with GBC News in Tamale, said the loss of lives and properties through floods is regrettable, adding that NADMO is working with other stakeholders to ensure the security of lives and property during the floods.
Mr. Agyeman Prempeh said three camps have been set up in the Northern, North East and Upper East regions to provide search and rescue operations during the floods.
The Director General led a team to visit and seek support of some traditional rulers including the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya Na Abukari to solicit support to mitigate flood disasters in the area.
“We have three camps, one in the Upper East Region, one in Walewale in the North East and one in Tamale awaiting the spillage. The Officers and men of 48 Engineers Regiment of Ghana Armed Forces are here. The Ghana Police Service Marine unit. They are also here in Bolgatanga and we are ready. NADMO staff, we are ready to talk. I want to thank the Chiefs and people. Especially the Chiefs in the Northern Region of Ghana. They really help NADMO in sensitization. Sometimes we have difficulties when we go and tell people who are living close to the rivers to move to other places they tell you our grandfathers were buried here, our great grandfathers were buried here so we wouldn’t move but the Chiefs are helping us. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Chiefs,” said Mr. Agyeman Prempeh.
In the last two weeks, stakeholders in Northern Ghana have been on high alert following the announcement that Burkinabe authorities are scheduled to spill the Bagre dam. Authorities say the dam will be spilled when water volumes reach 234.75meters, however, the latest report on September 2, 2021, indicated that, the water level in the dam stands at 234.48meters.
The spillage of the Bagre dam often leaves large areas of Northern Ghana, especially areas along the White Volta flooded. The situation often leads to loss of lives and property.
Even before the spillage of the dam, floods have already wreaked havoc on some communities in Tamale and the North East regions where at least 9 persons have lost their lives through drowning, thunder and lightning.
