Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu, Abed-Nego Lamangin Bandim, has raised serious concerns that the spillage of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso will worsen food insecurity in northern Ghana.

The warning comes after SONABEL, the managers of the Bagre Dam, confirmed that the annual spillage, originally scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, began earlier on Monday, August 25, 2025.

SONABEL reported that the dam currently stands at an elevation of 234.27 meters, representing 90.24% of its full capacity, just 0.73 meters below its maximum retention level. Authorities have advised communities likely to be affected to relocate as a precaution.

Speaking exclusively on Channel One Newsroom on Monday, August 25, Mr. Bandim cautioned that while efforts are underway to save lives, livelihoods remain at significant risk. He pointed out that unusual rainfall patterns earlier in 2025 have already hampered food production.

According to him, the spillage will severely damage farmlands and properties, plunging residents into deeper economic hardship.

“There is an effective collaboration between the five northern region ministers and their NADMO coordinators who are already going from one community to the other educating people to evacuate and then also take along their livestock and whatever they can take.

“But there is not much apart from that. Now we are fighting to prevent people from losing their lives, but then their livelihoods; livestock, crops and houses will definitely be submerged. Already this year, we have had a very erratic rainfall pattern, and crops are not doing well. It is so heartbreaking. The rains didn’t start early,” he stated.