Bagre Spillage: Digaare Chief provides lifeline boat for stranded residents

Residents of Nungo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region and Gubiou in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region have taken steps to improve safe transportation across the White Volta ahead of the expected spillage of the Bagre Dam.

The Chief of Digaare, Naaba Alhaji Ibrahim Boarebon, has procured a 15-passenger boat to support residents who depend on the White Volta for transportation between communities on both sides of the river.

The White Volta separates several communities in the Talensi District from communities in the North East Region, creating significant transportation challenges, particularly during the rainy season and periods of Bagre Dam spillage.

During such periods, flooding often cuts off communities for days, affecting access to healthcare, education, markets and other essential social services. Farmers also struggle to transport harvested produce across the river, while livestock and other properties are exposed to the risk of being lost to floodwaters.

The Assembly Member for the Datuko Electoral Area, Ayariga Mahamadu, described the situation as difficult for residents during periods of severe flooding.

“When the floods set in, life in this area becomes pitiable and miserable because livelihoods of residents perish in the floods, animals drown in the floodwaters, movement from one place to the other is stalled and the entire area turns into a deserted area until the water levels reduce,” he said.

Mr. Ayariga expressed appreciation to the Chief of Digaare for providing the boat, saying it would help protect lives and support economic activities in the affected communities.

“This boat is from an individual and a chief of Digaare who seeks the welfare of the people in this catchment area. We are very thankful for what he has done for us. At least, this boat will save lives and improve economic activities in the communities,” he stated.

Elders of the Digaare community, speaking on behalf of the Chief, said the initiative was in response to the longstanding challenges caused by the annual flooding.

One of the elders described the Bagre Dam spillage as a “nightmare”, noting that residents frequently lose farmlands and other property to floods.

Another elder said the lack of reliable transportation across the river has also affected the provision of social services, with some government workers reluctant to accept postings to communities that become difficult to access during the rainy season.

Residents are now preparing for the arrival of floodwaters from the Bagre Dam, while the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) continues sensitisation activities in flood-prone communities.

The new boat is expected to provide a safer means of crossing the White Volta and help reduce the isolation of communities during periods of flooding.