Weija Dam Spillage: Hundreds Displaced and Power Outages Reported as Water Levels Hit 48-Foot Threshold

Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has initiated a controlled release of excess water from the Weija Dam after water levels surpassed the maximum safe operational limit of 48 feet. This critical safety measure, triggered by persistent heavy rainfall upstream, has led to severe flooding in several downstream communities, including Tetegu, Sampah Valley, Choice, and parts of the Weija-Gbawe municipality. The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC), led by Regional Minister Linda Ocloo, has issued an immediate evacuation order for all residents in the affected downstream areas to safeguard lives and property, as floodwaters have already submerged hundreds of homes and shops.

The flooding has also disrupted essential services, with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) announcing emergency power outages in several Accra West communities, including Ashbread, White Cross, and Kinshasha, to prevent electrical accidents. While some residents expressed concerns regarding the timing of the notice, the Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Dennis Nartey Adjarnor, refuted claims of poor communication. He maintained that NADMO collaborated closely with GWL to inform communities of safe evacuation procedures and designated safe havens well in advance of the gates being opened.

Adding a layer of traditional authority to the crisis response, the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, conducted a tour of the flood-ravaged areas in Tetegu to assess the level of destruction. During his visit, the King called for the prosecution of chiefs and individuals involved in the illegal sale of lands within flood-prone zones, identifying such practices as a primary cause of the recurrent disaster. He urged the government to take decisive action against those obstructing natural waterways to prevent future occurrences of this scale.

With the Ghana Meteorological Agency forecasting continued heavy rains in the coming days, GWL has warned that the controlled spillage could remain in effect for several weeks or even months until water levels return to a safe range. Officials continue to monitor the dam's structural integrity while the Regional Coordinating Council works to mitigate disaster risks. Displaced residents are advised to remain in safe havens and avoid returning to submerged properties until formal safety clearances are issued by NADMO and utility providers.