The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has begun releasing excess water from the Weija Dam at 44.4 feet, below the typical spillage threshold, in a proactive effort to prevent flooding as the rainy season intensifies.
Only two of the dam’s spillway gates have been opened for now, but officials caution that more gates may be activated in the coming days if rainfall continues to raise inflow from the Densu River.
Stanley Martey, Head of Communications at GWCL, explained that while the dam can technically hold water up to 48 feet, the company has adopted a conservative approach, initiating spillage at 44 feet to safeguard the dam’s integrity and surrounding communities.
“Rains have set in again and we are seeing very high inflows into the Weija Dam from the Densu River. Our expectation is that we will be spilling more when the inflows are more than the outflows,” he said during an interview with TV3 on Thursday, 22 May 2025.
Mr Martey emphasised that the decision to begin spillage below the maximum operating level is based on GWCL’s standard procedures aimed at disaster prevention. “As a company and per our standard operations, we don’t want to go beyond 47 feet. So, at 44 feet we start with minimal spillage,” he noted.
This early action comes as a warning sign for residents living in the dam’s buffer zones. With the region entering the peak of the rainy season, there are concerns that persistent rains could overwhelm the system if not managed carefully.
“If we are not careful and the dam collapses, the repercussions will be more disastrous than what we have seen in times past,” Mr Martey warned, referencing previous years where delayed spillage led to extensive flooding and displacement of residents.
He urged residents in flood-prone areas to begin relocating now, adding that national and local authorities must activate emergency response plans to prevent avoidable loss of property and life.
Communities downstream of the Weija Dam, particularly in the Ga South Municipality, have historically borne the brunt of dam-related spillage. In previous years, flooding from unplanned releases has damaged homes, schools, and public infrastructure.
The controlled release strategy adopted this year is aimed at avoiding such scenarios. But while GWCL’s move has been lauded as timely, some residents in affected zones are calling for better communication and long-term relocation support.
“This is not just about opening gates,” said one community leader in Oblogo. “We need permanent solutions, drainage, housing alternatives, and better planning. Otherwise, every year we’ll be packing and running.”
For now, GWCL has not confirmed how long the spillage will continue, but its operations will depend on rainfall patterns and the rate of inflow from upstream sources.
As the rains continue to fall, the Weija Dam remains a critical pressure point. How well its levels are managed in the coming weeks could determine whether Ghana averts another seasonal flood crisis or finds itself knee-deep in emergency response once more
