Weija Dam flooding will persist without political will to relocate residents – NADMO

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) warns that flooding in communities downstream of the Weija Dam will continue unless there is a political commitment to relocate residents from areas originally designated as buffer zones. Speaking after reviewing the effects of the flooding on impacted communities on September 9, Dennis Nartey, Greater Accra Regional Director of NADMO, stated that the regions beneath the dam were intentionally set aside as buffers during construction to manage excess water when the dam reaches high levels.

Unfortunately, he added, years of encroachment have significantly diminished the buffer zones, rendering downstream communities vulnerable whenever water is released from the dam. Nartey acknowledged that political will must eventually drive the resettlement process. He explained that buffer zones were designed to provide space for water flow when the dam is opened, but increased development in those areas has compromised their effectiveness.

"When the dam was being built, they took into consideration all these factors and beneath the dam area, those places were to serve as buffers, so that in case the dam had to open, then the water would flow to those areas. But today we have encroached all those areas," he pointed out. NADMO's primary responsibility is to mitigate risks to lives and property through public education and early warnings, Nartey assured residents that there was no cause for alarm.

He emphasized that the organization has escalated awareness campaigns and identified safer, higher locations for residents to relocate to in the event of potential flooding. "When we are expecting heavy water level upstream, then we have to advise them. We have identified places that are very high for them, in case of any possible event. NADMO is ready," Nartey stated.