Weija Dam Spillage: Residents were adequately informed – NADMO 

The Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Dennis Nartey Adjarnor, has dismissed claims that the Ghana Water Company Limited failed to adequately communicate with residents ahead of the spillage of the Weija Dam, which has triggered flooding in surrounding communities.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, May 28, Mr Adjarnor said NADMO had been working closely with the Ghana Water Company Limited throughout the dam management process, including sustained communication with communities along downstream areas.

He explained that the spillage was carried out in stages as water levels continued to rise, stressing that residents were duly informed throughout the process.

“The dam’s operational maximum capacity is 47 feet. And so, as at 45 feet, they started spilling. And with all these spillages, we were informing the communities along the banks or along the stretch of the river. So, all the communities are aware that the dam will be spilling,” he said.

He added that evacuation arrangements had also been communicated in advance, with designated safe havens identified to accommodate affected residents.

“We were able to organise safe havens where we could easily evacuate them. So, they are aware. What we are doing now is to ensure that we evacuate and then save livelihoods and properties. So, they were duly informed,” he added.

Meanwhile, several homes and shops in affected communities have been inundated, compelling residents to relocate their belongings to safer areas after excess water was released from the dam.