Accra, Jan. 27, GNA - The German Development Cooperation has rehabilitated 18 dams in the three northern regions to serve the water needs of the people.

The rehabilitation formed part of the Emergency Relief Programme by the German government to the people of the northern Ghana following the floods that hit the area in 2007 causing destruction to dams, lives and property.

So far, about 40,000 families including their livestock and gardens have started benefiting from the facility whose rehabilitation was aided largely by the communal spirit of the people.

In its "Water is life" documentary shown in Accra on Monday to showcase the rehabilitation processes and other activities being done to prevent the dams from collapsing, Dr Fred Brandl, Country Director of the German Development Cooperation in Ghana said funding for the project which covering 60 dams would end in the first quarter of this year.

Dr Brandl said however, the need to rehabilitate more dams to prevent erosion and also serve the water needs of the people was inevitable.

He commended the people for the enthusiasm and support towards the execution of the project.

Mr. Sylvester Adongo, Northern Region Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture said the three regions had about 500 dams and dugouts, which experienced frequent breakdown. Mr Adongo said the national budget did not make provision for the repair of the dams putting the supply of water to residents at risk when there was flood.

He commended the German government for their assistance.