Bagre Dam spillage threatens farms in Ghana's North East Region

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) of Ghana has warned residents of the North East Region that the planned release of water from Burkina Faso’s Bagre Dam could cause flooding along the White Volta basin. The spillage is expected to begin on 11 August 2026, earlier than the previous year, and floodwaters typically take 48–72 hours to reach Ghana. NADMO officials, including North East Regional Director Tahiru Rafiu, said the main risk is loss of crops such as maize, rice, millet and vegetables, which are cultivated on riverbanks. Residents, farmers, fishermen and herders have been urged to relocate to safer areas, harvest early where possible, and avoid entering flooded fields or waterways. District offices are intensifying public education and monitoring the situation, while authorities stress that safety should take precedence over protecting farm produce.