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
… It then concludes that “the responsibility for managing and monitoring river bodies and holding turbidity data lies with the Water Resources Commission (WRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).” So, does GWL record turbidity data or not? …
The Galamsey war and GWL’s fictitious and inaccurate rebuttalJoy Online
… The company said the monitoring and management of river bodies, including the collection and custody of turbidity data, fall within the mandates of the Water Resources Commission (WRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). …
Ghana Water Limited clarifies mandate over river turbidity dataJoy Online
… The Water Resources Commission said the spillage would begin when the reservoir reached 234.50 metres and that it was monitoring the level. …
Bagre Dam below spillage level, WRC monitoring situationJoy Online
… However, it admits that significant challenges remain in restoring degraded lands and polluted rivers.The Ministry’s spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Shandorf, said assessments by the Water Resources Commission indicate marginal improvements in the quality of some major water bodies, incl …
Lands Ministry says Pra, Ankobra and Birim rivers showing improvementThe Ghanaian Times
The Water Resources Commission (WRC) has announced that operators of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso may begin a controlled release of water from the dam from August 11, 2026, if the reservoir reaches a critical level. …
WRC warns of possible controlled spillage from Bagre Dam from August 11Joy Online
The Water Resources Commission (WRC) has alerted stakeholders and residents living along the White Volta River that controlled spillage from Burkina Faso’s Bagre Dam could begin on Tuesday, August 11, if the reservoir reaches its trigger level. …
Bagre Dam spill expected from August 11 if reservoir reaches trigger level – Water Resources CommissionJoy Online
… The Water Resources Commission (WRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have repeatedly identified uncontrolled development in wetlands as a major contributor to urban flooding across Ghana. …
Urban Flooding in Ghana: Examining the role of planning authoritiesJoy Online
… The Water Resources Commission regulates and manages the country’s water resources, including groundwater. …
Groundwater Galamsey: The silent crisis beneath our feetJoy Online
… ood risk mapping, hazard assessments, hydrological monitoring, flood forecasting and early warning systems while strengthening collaboration with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Water Resources Commission …
Flooding needs behaviour change not just engineering solutions– Hydrological AuthorityJoy Online
… The platform is being implemented collaboratively by the Ghana Hydrological Authority, the Ghana Meteorological Agency, the NADMO and the Water Resources Commission under the Greater Accra Resilient Integrated Development (GARID) Project. …
Accra flood early warning system operational but still undergoing validation – Status reportAn 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 →