The Northeast Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, has cautioned farmers and residents living along the White Volta to prepare for the impact of the impending Bagre Dam spillage.

Speaking on Joy Prime’s News Flash, he outlined the areas likely to be affected and measures being taken to safeguard lives and property.

He expressed concern that many farmers will lose their crops since they are not yet ready for harvesting.

“One of the aspects we will be looking at is those who farm alongside the White Volta. Some of these people’s crops are not yet ready for harvesting, and, therefore, they won’t be able to harvest anything and will be greatly affected. However, a few of them are ready for harvesting,” he explained.

On the recent incident involving the death of a farmer, Mr Ibrahim clarified that it was not connected to the Bagre Dam spillage.

“When the dam is opened from Burkina Faso, it takes three days before the water gets into our territory, referring to Ghana. As of yesterday, the water had not reached our territory yet,” he said.

He explained that the deceased, Baba Takora, drowned after falling into a deep hole while fetching water for farmhands.

“Baba Takora, unfortunately, invited some people to help him harvest his maize, indicating he went to fetch water for their consumption, where he unfortunately fell into a deep hole that was there, and it is not the Bagre Dam water that consumed him,” the minister clarified.

On disaster preparedness, he assured that response teams have been fully mobilised.

“The Regional Community Council has activated the Regional Disaster Management Committee with all stakeholders on board, and we have sensitised all the communities along the White Volta, making them understand that the water will be coming anytime soon and that they should all leave the river banks and move to safer lands,” he stated.

He added that NADMO teams, equipped with engine boats, are already in place to support evacuations if necessary.

“A management team from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is in the region, prepared with engine boats along the White Volta stretch, ready to evacuate any victims found within the river banks. We have made arrangements to move them to safer lands,” he said.

The minister emphasised that awareness campaigns are ongoing across all vulnerable communities.

“There is an intensive campaign right from Pando, stretching into the Northern Region. We have done enough campaigns to sensitise the people to move to safer grounds,” he added.