Weija Dam Spill Gates Opened as Ghana Water Warns of Prolonged Flood Risk

Ghana Water Limited has opened all spill gates at the Weija Dam after water levels rose above the facility’s maximum operating threshold of 48 feet, triggering a controlled spillage exercise that authorities say could continue for months as heavy rains persist across the region.

In a statement issued by Stanley Martey, the company’s PR and Communications Director, the utility said the emergency measure was necessary to relieve pressure on the dam and prevent structural failure. The announcement came as the Ghana Meteorological Agency forecast further torrential rains upstream, which are expected to drive additional inflows into the reservoir.

“The public may recall that every year during the rainy season, and anytime the water level exceeds 45 feet, Ghana Water Ltd undertakes controlled spilling operations to prevent undue pressure on the dam and avert any potential disaster,” the statement read.

The spillage is expected to raise alarm among communities downstream of the dam, particularly in low-lying areas of the Ga South Municipality that have historically borne the brunt of flooding when water is released. Ghana Water urged residents living along the river’s course to evacuate vulnerable areas immediately.

“All persons living along the course of the river downstream of the dam are strongly advised to evacuate from vulnerable areas immediately to forestall any eventuality and ensure the safety of lives and property,” the company stated.

The National Disaster Management Organisation and various district assemblies are preparing to clear structures and obstructions that impede the free flow of water into the sea — a perennial challenge in a capital region where unregulated construction on floodplains and drainage corridors has repeatedly worsened the impact of seasonal flooding.

Earlier this year, Weija traditional leaders endorsed the demolition of structures built on waterways in an effort to curb the cycle of flooding that has long plagued Greater Accra. That backing was seen as a significant step, given the political sensitivity of removing encroachments from ancestral lands.

Authorities have urged the relevant agencies to expedite clearance operations to minimise the risk of flooding in affected communities. Ghana Water said it remains committed to protecting the dam infrastructure while ensuring public safety, and called on residents to cooperate fully with emergency directives issued by state institutions.

The Weija Dam, which supplies water to large parts of the Greater Accra region, has been the subject of repeated emergency spillages in recent years as climate patterns shift and upstream development increases run-off into the reservoir. Each episode reignites debate about long-term infrastructure planning, land-use regulation and the vulnerability of Accra’s water supply to extreme weather events.

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