The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo is proposing negotiations between Ghana and its Burkinabe counterparts on the payment of compensation to residents affected by flooding as a result of the spillage of excess water from the Bagre and Kampiengo Dams. For now it appears there is no formal agreement between the two countries for compensation for those who are affected by the perennial spillage of water from the dams. Flooding of farmlands and communities along the banks of the white and black Volta in the three northern regions especially has become an annual ritual. Last year for instance, 15 lives and over one thousand livestock were lost, whilst over 3,000 houses in 55 different communities and about 24,000 farms were submerged, while several schools, hospitals and other infrastructure were destroyed. The financial cost of the devastation runs into several millions of cedis, rendering residents poorer. The Spokesperson for the Volta River Authority (VRA), Gertrude Koomson said she was not aware of any agreements between the two countries relative to what happens to victims of the spillage of the dams. “But I know that between the power institutions in Ghana and Burkina Faso, we have been talking about how we can continue to do our work, how our operations can continue without impacting negatively communities within our operational areas,” she said. Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo told Joy News’ Eric Ahianyo, the two countries must review existing agreements in other sectors to consider the plight of those who are affected. The Regional Minister however assured that the situation is returning to normal. Source: Joy News/Ghana