A farmer, Baba Takwara, drowned in the White Volta River at Yama, near Walewale in the North East Region, on the evening of Monday, August 25, 2025.
The deceased, originally from Kpasenkpe but farming in Yama, had gone with ten others to harvest crops when tragedy struck.
According to the Assembly Member for the area, Takwara asked his colleagues to begin working across the river while he stayed behind to fetch water and food but never returned. A search was launched, and his body was later discovered in the river.
Jacob Nluki, Assembly Member for the Kpasenkpe Traditional Area, confirmed the incident and attributed it to the significantly increased water levels caused by the Bagre Dam spillage. He added that the body has since been recovered and buried in accordance with Islamic customs.
Jacob Nluki, Assembly man for Kpasenkpe traditional area
The Bagre Dam (Barrage de Bagré), located in Burkina Faso, is vital for hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and water supply. However, its controlled water releases — particularly during heavy rainfall — frequently trigger flooding in downstream regions of Ghana, including the North East, Upper East, and Upper West Regions. This annual spillage continues to destroy farmlands, damage infrastructure, and increase the risk of waterborne diseases.
Prior to the incident, the Société Nationale d’Électricité du Burkina Faso (SONABEL) had announced on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, that spillage of the dam was imminent. In response, the North East Regional branch of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) issued an urgent warning, advising farmers to harvest their crops immediately to minimize losses.
The death of Baba Takwara serves as a painful reminder of the recurring human cost of the Bagre Dam spillage and underscores the urgent need for stronger preventive measures to protect vulnerable communities.
Source: 3News.com
