The perennial flooding of communities downstream of the Weija Dam could receive a permanent engineering solution under a $350 million flood control project scheduled to commence in December 2026.
The Dam Spillage Flood Control (DSFC) Project, being spearheaded by the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly in partnership with Hi-Limit Group, is expected to protect at least 16 communities that have repeatedly faced the risk of flooding whenever excess water is released from the dam.
The two-year project, which is expected to be completed by December 2028, will involve the construction of a high-level reinforced concrete levee canal stretching from the Weija Dam to the Atlantic Ocean.
The canal is expected to provide a direct route for excess water from the dam to the sea, reducing the likelihood of the water overflowing into residential communities and other built-up areas downstream.
Chief Executive Officer of Hi-Limit Group, Mr Emmanuel Larbi, said the project was designed to address the flooding problem at its source rather than relying on temporary measures whenever the dam spills.
He said the canal would be aligned with existing natural waterways to ensure that the flow of water into the sea did not create new risks for residents.
“We will make sure that the canal will follow the pattern of the natural waterways into the sea, so that it doesn’t affect the residents in any way,” Mr Larbi said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.
Mr Larbi said preliminary community engagement had already been undertaken, with residents being briefed on the project and its expected benefits. He added that the developers had received support from the affected communities.
He also assured residents that the project would not require demolitions, saying its main purpose was to safeguard communities that have suffered the consequences of recurrent flooding.
Among the communities expected to benefit are Tetegu, Oblogo, Weija Old Town, New Weija, Sampah Valley, Bortianor, Ashalaja, Ada Kope, Glefe, White Cross, Choice, Ash Bread, Tsokomey, Pambros, Weija-Away, Faana and Amelipo.
Beyond the main flood-control infrastructure, the project will include the development of inner-town roads in Tetegu and the creation of a permanent estuary as part of efforts to improve the movement and discharge of floodwater.
Financing for the project is also being structured through a public-private partnership. Hi-Limit Group has secured $325 million from financial partners in the United States, while the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly is expected to mobilise a further $25 million as counterpart funding.
The Assembly’s contribution will be raised through internally generated funds and a proposed canal levy, with the arrangement intended to demonstrate the government side’s commitment to the project.
United Bank for Africa Ghana (UBA) has been engaged as the project’s banker. The bank is expected to facilitate the collection of counterpart funds and administer project finances for payments to contractors and other service providers.
Meanwhile, feasibility studies, detailed engineering designs, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and a housing census are underway ahead of the commencement of construction.
China Railway Construction Engineering Group has been selected as the General Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor for the project.
If completed as planned, the DSFC Project is expected to significantly change how flooding associated with Weija Dam spillage is managed, replacing recurrent emergency responses with permanent drainage infrastructure designed to safely convey excess water to the sea.
