The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has announced that the controlled spillage of excess water from the Weija Dam will commence on Wednesday, September 9.
The announcement comes amid reports that some residents living along the downstream areas of the dam are refusing to relocate to safer locations despite warnings about the potential risk of flooding.
GWL Chief Manager and Head of Public Relations, Stanley Martey, said residents in unauthorised settlements along the river course have been given adequate notice to relocate.
He urged those affected to evacuate to safer areas to minimise the risk of loss of life and property.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, September 8, Mr Martey explained that the decision to resume the spillage has become necessary to safeguard the structural integrity of the Weija Dam as water levels continue to rise.
“Yes, we will go ahead with it. We have given enough notice,” he said.
He explained that the spillage would begin on a controlled scale, with only one gate initially opened. However, additional gates may be opened if the volume of water flowing into the dam continues to rise.
According to Mr Martey, it is too early to determine the extent or duration of the spillage, as these will largely depend on the volume of inflows into the dam.
Mr Martey stressed that the planned operation is “just a resumption and not like a new thing. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve been spilling excess water from the dam.”
His comments come amid reports that some residents have refused to comply with evacuation directives issued by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Mr Martey therefore urged residents occupying unauthorised settlements along the river course, particularly those in downstream communities towards the estuary, to heed the warnings and relocate to safer areas to avoid potential loss of lives and property.
He warned that failure to evacuate could put residents and their properties at serious risk, particularly if water levels rise significantly or the dam experiences any structural failure.
“If they do not move and the dam is to collapse, the water will definitely wipe off all their properties and they themselves,” he cautioned.
He further cited the destruction caused by flooding in recent months, stressing that the authorities’ decision is aimed at preventing a recurrence and reducing the potential threat to lives and property.
Mr Martey therefore appealed to residents to comply with the evacuation directive, urging them to put their safety first and relocate rather than risk remaining in vulnerable areas.
The GWL official could not provide a definite timeline for the end of the spillage, explaining that its duration would depend on the volume of water flowing into the dam and the prevailing water levels.