The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has dismissed reports linking the recent drowning of a farmer in the West Mamprusi Municipality to the Bagre Dam spillage.
In a statement, NADMO explained that the victim, 55-year-old Baba Takora from the Yama community, drowned on August 25 while fetching water from a tributary of the White Volta to support labourers working on his maize farm.
According to the Organisation, Mr. Takora was unaware of the depth of the tributary and tragically drowned in the process.
“Contrary to media reports, his death was not caused by flooding from the Bagre Dam spillage. At the time of the incident, the dam’s discharges had not yet reached Ghanaian rivers,” the statement clarified.
NADMO further noted that water released from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso typically takes about 24 hours to reach Yarigu station, where levels are monitored by the Water Resources Commission.
“On the day of the incident, the dam’s discharge stood at 47.34 cubic metres per second—too low to influence water levels in local rivers. Any rises observed around that period were due to rainfall, not the dam spillage,” the statement added.
The late farmer, who left behind his wife, Madam Sala Baba, and five children, died while working on his farm, NADMO emphasised. The Organisation extended condolences to the family and the Yama community.
While stressing that this particular case was unrelated to the Bagre Dam, NADMO assured the public that it continues to track water levels across river bodies and has activated preparedness measures, including evacuation plans, safe havens, and sensitisation campaigns, to protect lives and property.
The statement urged farmers and community members to exercise caution around rivers and tributaries, stressing that varying water depths continue to pose significant drowning risks.