An Assessment Of The Effects Of The Bagre Hydro Dam Spillage On Ghana-Burkina Faso Relations

ABSTRACT Ghana’s relations with Burkina Faso has been cordial. The two countries are closely linked by blood ties of some ethnic groupings along their common border and more so they share the Volta River Basin which is indispensable in their development drive. The Volta River Basin serves as a major source of energy and transport in Ghana. Ghana-Burkina Faso relations has, however, been threatened since the completion of construction of the Bagre multipurpose dam on the White Volta sub-basin in Burkina Faso in 1992. Ghana has accused Burkina Faso of excessive water withdrawal, which leads to low water in the Volta Lake and affecting the operations of the Akosombo hydro dam in Ghana. Heavy rains resulting from the effects of climate change has compelled Burkina Faso to annually open the flood gates of its dam, which has always inundated communities downstream in Ghana along the White Volta River and its tributaries, with devastating consequences. The management of the Bagre dam could serve as a potential source of conflict, especially if unilaterally managed, or as a source of promotion of cooperation between the two countries if well managed through collaboration. Through qualitative research, this thesis looks at key issues such as the menacing impact of the Bagre Dam spillage and its attendant consequences in downstream Ghana. It also investigates the effects of the foregoing on Ghana-Burkina Faso relations and interventions taken in order to minimise any possible tension over the operations of the Bagre Dam. Through the use of interviews and focus group discussions conducted in the Bawku West, Talensi and Binduri Districts and the Bawku East Municipality of the Upper East Region, as well as interviews with other relevant stakeholders, the research findings show that local/national initiatives and interstate collaborations have led to cooperation between Ghana and Burkina Faso contrary to media reports and fears of some Ghanaians, labelling the Dam as a potential source of conflict between the two countries.