Also known as: WRC
Water Resources Commission — monitors water resources and reservoir levels; alerts communities to potential dam spillage and flooding risks.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Water Resources Commission
Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… In November 2025, the Water Resources Commission convened a national dialogue on solutions for coastal protection, bringing together experts, policymakers and other stakeholders to explore more sustainable approaches to protecting vulnerable shorelines. …
Ghana is restoring nature, but is nature recovering?The Chronicle
… Mapping exercise exposes scale of destruction He disclosed that CCAL, in collaboration with the Water Resources Commission (WRC), had initiated a project to map streams originating from the Atewa Forest and flowing through the 53 communities within the landscape. …
Galamsey destroys 58 of 62 streams in Atewa landscapeJoy Online
… A new visual analysis by researcher and data visualisation analyst Fatah Maltaba Abass, titled Wealth Over Water: A Visual Analysis of Water Security and Environmental Governance Impacts of Illegal Gold Mining in Ghana, brings together data from the Water Resources Commission (WR …
Wealth Over Water: How Galamsey Is Threatening Ghana’s Water SecurityJoy Online
… President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, relevant ministries, the Water Resources Commission, the National Disaster Management Organisation, local authorities and, indeed, all of us have roles to play. …
Bagre Dam’s Annual Floods: Scientists seek a lasting solution as Northern Ghana’s farmers count the costJoy Online
… der the National Water Investment Programme, is intended to guide priority investments, mobilise public and private financing and improve water resources management. Mr Edwin Kissi Afosah-Anim, Deputy Director of the Water Management Directorate of the Water Resources Commission …
Ghana develops US$4.28bn water financing frameworkJoy Online
… Furthermore, operating without approved Environmental Impact Assessments breaches the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490), while the direct discharge of chemical waste into public rivers violates the Water Resources Commission Act, 1996 (Act 522). …
Stakeholders demand action against foreign-led illegal mining in Ahafo RegionJoy Online
… According to him, the project has proposed collaboration with institutions including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Water Resources Commission and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority …
KNUST study warns sea defence is shifting coastal threats to unprotected communitiesJoy Online
… NAIMOS, EPA, Forestry Commission and Water Resources Commission are all doing their jobs to ensure an acceptable end to this menace that has bedevilled our country,” he said. …
Government designates 13 blocked-out areas for small-scale mining to curb illegal miningJoy Online
… A daily update from the White Volta Basin Secretariat of the Water Resources Commission indicated that the water level of the Bagre Dam was currently 234.55 metres, with a filling rate of 93.98 per cent, 0.45 metres below the normal reservoir level of 235.0 metres. …
Bagre Dam spillage likely to begin Friday, August 28Joy Online
… He said the organisation had been conducting continuous pre-flood monitoring and public sensitisation since August 4, when it received an initial alert from SONABEL through the Water Resources Commission. …
Nawuni River swells as NADMO warns of rising flood risk in Northern RegionAn opinion feature explores whether Ghana's environmental restoration initiatives—from degraded mining landscapes to threatened mangroves—address the immediate livelihood needs of communities dependent on the land, questioning who will maintain efforts after donors leave and how quickly land damaged by activities like galamsey can become farmable again.
26 October 2026 · Joy Online →
An opinion feature explores whether Ghana's environmental restoration initiatives—from degraded mining landscapes to threatened mangroves—address the immediate livelihood needs of communities dependent on the land, questioning who will maintain efforts after donors leave and how quickly land damaged by activities like galamsey can become farmable again.
26 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Illegal mining has destroyed 58 of 62 streams identified in the Atewa Forest landscape, according to a member of the Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape. The destruction threatens water resources and the livelihoods of surrounding communities, with smaller streams suffering extensive damage while receiving less public attention than major rivers.
20 October 2026 · The Chronicle →
Illegal gold mining (galamsey) is contributing to widespread water pollution in Ghana, with researchers reporting that about 60% of the country's water bodies are polluted; some affected water bodies may be difficult to restore even if pollution stopped immediately.
13 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Controlled water releases from Burkina Faso's Bagré Dam intensify flooding along Ghana's White Volta River, destroying crops, homes and livelihoods for farming communities. An international team of researchers is exploring science-based and nature-based solutions to find a lasting answer to the recurring annual problem.
12 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana is developing a US$4.28 billion financing framework under the National Water Investment Programme to guide priority water investments, mobilise public and private financing, and improve water resources management while aligning with climate and development priorities.
7 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Stakeholders in the Ahafo Region have criticized law enforcement and regulatory agencies for failing to curb illegal mining activities driven by foreign nationals. Six foreign-owned companies, predominantly operated by Chinese nationals, are currently engaged in illegal mining across the region, with only one holding a valid legal permit.
26 September 2026 · Joy Online →
A three-year KNUST study found worsening coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion along Ghana's eastern coastline, with sea defence systems in some areas redirecting tidal impacts toward unprotected communities. Researchers documented land losses exceeding 103 metres and saltwater penetration more than 1.3 kilometres inland, and are calling for stronger coastal monitoring and early warning systems.
1 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Minerals Commission has demarcated 13 blocked-out areas across the country for allocation to Ghanaians interested in small-scale mining, aiming to provide legal concessions and curb illegal mining activities that threaten the environment.
31 August 2026 · Joy Online →
SONABEL, operator of Bagre Dam, may open the dam's spillway on Friday, August 28, 2026, if the water level reaches 234.75 metres. The dam is currently at 234.55 metres with a 93.98 per cent filling rate.
26 August 2026 · Joy Online →
NADMO has warned residents in Kumbungu District to prepare for possible flooding as the Nawuni intake water level rose to 23.85 feet, within the critical flood range of 20 to 30 feet. The elevated level increases risk of the White Volta overflowing its banks, particularly if additional rainfall occurs or if Burkina Faso's Bagre Dam begins spillage, which could reach the Northern Region within seven days.
24 August 2026 · Joy Online →
The author clarifies that he did not claim the Presidency directed Ghana Water Limited to withhold river turbidity data, but rather that senior GWL sources cited fear of victimisation and direct warnings against sharing the data. The author disputes GWL's characterisation of his original comments as fictitious.
18 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana Water Limited said it is responsible for treating and supplying potable water to urban populations, but does not hold official turbidity data on natural river bodies—such monitoring falls to the Water Resources Commission and Environmental Protection Agency. GWL said it conducts its own turbidity tests for water treatment purposes and can shut down plants when raw water quality exceeds safe thresholds, but rejected claims that the Presidency directed it to withhold river data.
18 August 2026 · Joy Online →
SONABEL has postponed planned controlled water spillage from Burkina Faso's Bagre Dam after the reservoir level remained below the 234.50-metre threshold required to begin spillage. The Water Resources Commission said the reservoir level stood at 233.08 metres on Tuesday with a filling rate of 75.40 per cent, and that it would monitor the situation and update stakeholders on when spillage would occur.
13 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Lands Ministry says assessments by the Water Resources Commission show marginal improvements in water quality in the Ankobra, Pra and Birim rivers following efforts against illegal mining, though the Ministry acknowledges significant challenges remain in fully restoring degraded lands and polluted rivers.
6 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Water Resources Commission announced that operators of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso may release water from August 11 if the reservoir reaches 234.00 metres, and urged residents along the White Volta River in northern Ghana to take precautionary measures.
5 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana's Water Resources Commission has alerted residents along the White Volta River that Burkina Faso's Bagre Dam may begin controlled spillage from August 11 if the reservoir reaches 234.00 metres, with the water level at 232.93 metres as of August 4. Communities have been urged to take precautions and comply with safety directives from local authorities.
4 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Flooding in major Ghanaian cities including Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tema, and Kasoa is driven partly by man-made factors such as violations of planning regulations, weak development control, and encroachment on wetlands and natural drainage channels. Experts argue that while climate change and unpredictable rainfall have intensified flood risks, planning authorities and regulatory agencies bear responsibility for protecting environmental assets that serve as natural flood defences.
23 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Groundwater Galamsey — uncontrolled, unscientific drilling of boreholes without proper hydrogeological investigation, water testing, or data submission — poses a hidden threat to Ghana's national water security, homes, schools, farms, and health, even though its damage is not immediately visible like surface illegal mining.
3 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Hydrological Authority says that while climate change has intensified rainfall, persistent flooding cannot be resolved through infrastructure projects alone; indiscriminate refuse disposal, illegal construction on floodplains, poor drainage maintenance, and rapid urban development worsen flooding, and sustainable solutions require active public participation.
30 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The Flood Early Warning System for Accra (FEWS-Accra) is now generating rainfall forecasts every 10 minutes with a two-to-three-hour lead time, but officials say validation exercises including threshold testing, sensor checks, and emergency drills must be completed before full reliance on the platform for flood response.
30 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Accra continues to experience severe flooding in the same areas—including Weija, Kasoa, Dansoman, and Lakeside—a pattern documented since at least 1960. Credible studies identify five persistent causes: the city's low-lying geography, settlements built on floodplains and drainage channels, drains clogged with plastic and sachet-water bags, outdated drainage infrastructure, and unenforced zoning and wetland-protection laws.
19 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Newmont Ahafo North Mine held a tree-planting and clean-up exercise in Abrobaa to mark World Environment Day, reaffirming its commitment to land reclamation, water stewardship, biodiversity conservation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction as part of its climate resilience efforts.
17 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
Speakers at Ghana's Environmental Sustainability Summit 2026 warned that illegal mining and environmental degradation could undermine the country's green finance agenda and carbon market frameworks. Experts argued that businesses must prioritize environmental sustainability as core business strategy rather than charity, citing Ghana's estimated two percent annual deforestation rate.
17 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
A University of Ghana professor has called for a fundamental change in flood management strategy, arguing that existing measures such as dredging drains and partial demolitions are ineffective. He advocates for stronger institutional coordination, strict enforcement of planning regulations, wetland protection, and landscape restoration to address root environmental and governance challenges rather than symptoms.
16 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
An unauthorised refuse landfill site containing municipal, industrial, and e-waste with heavy metals was washed into Weija Lake during Wednesday's floods, posing a threat to about 80% of Accra residents who depend on the lake for drinking water supplied by Ghana Water Company Limited.
14 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Researchers have presented findings from a study on Ghana's Community Mining Scheme, evaluating its benefits since 2019 and identifying policy and practice changes needed. The research, conducted by teams from the University of Derby and University of Mines and Technology, surveyed 500 CMS miners and interviewed regulators and miners to assess the scheme's impact and challenges.
13 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Meteorological Agency has proposed a new legislative framework to transform itself into the Ghana Meteorological Authority, with expanded regulatory powers to license meteorological operators, establish standards, and become the sole official source of national severe weather warnings and public safety alerts.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The Oheneba Poku Foundation has raised concerns about illegal and unsustainable mining activities (galamsey) around Lake Bosomtwe in the Ashanti region, citing vegetation destruction, soil erosion, ecosystem disturbance, and encroachment on buffer zones critical for protecting water quality and ecosystem stability. The foundation stressed that the combined effects of illegal mining, land degradation, and weak environmental enforcement pose a significant risk to the sustainability of Ghana's only natural lake.
4 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Water Justice Network, a coalition of civil society organisations, has issued policy recommendations to transform water access and governance, calling on government and the Ghana Water Company to halt disconnections for households unable to pay and to prioritise affordable, universal access to water as a fundamental human right.
12 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action held a high-level gathering in Accra with diplomats, government officials, academics, and development partners to advance nature-based climate solutions across the continent. The Global Lead emphasized that despite Africa's minimal contribution to global emissions, it faces severe climate impacts and possesses rich natural assets including forests and wetlands that should anchor the continent's climate strategy.
6 May 2026 · Joy Online →