From Samuel Akapule, GNA Special Correspondent, Tenkodogo, Burkina Faso

Tenkodogo (Burkina Faso), Sept 21, GNA - Mr. Simone Sawadogo, the Governor of Central East Region of Burkina Faso, has said the annual spillage of the Bagre Dam that often causes loss of life and damage to property in Ghana was not done intentionally.

He said this at a tri-partite meeting held by delegates from Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo at Tenkodogo in Burkina Faso at the weekend. The meeting was in reaction to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo's call on Burkina Faso authorities to regulate the opening of the Bagre Dam.

The three-day tri-partite meeting was aimed at finding a common strategy to fight cross border crimes, insecurity, drug and child trafficking, female genital mutilation(FGM) and forceful marriages among others that are so common in the three countries.

Mr Sawadogo said the spillage of the dam usually had devastating effect on people, farms, animals and other property in Burkina Faso and cited for instance that the recent spillage destroyed a lot of property and food stuff in the area. He said the spilling, which started on September 04, would continue till the end of the month.

The Director of the Bagre Dam, Mr. Paul Compaore, briefed the delegates about the mode of spillage and said the dam had four flood gates but only two of them were opened. He said Burkina Faso gets 10 per cent of its electricity from the Bagre Dam and also uses it for irrigation. Mr Woyongo appealed to the Governor and the Director of the Dam to always inform the Ghana government before spilling to enable them take precautionary measures. The Minister and his entourage were also conducted round the eco-tourist sites of the Bagre Dam which has natural plantation, swimming pools, fish pounds, crocodiles, elephants and lions. It has a 104-room accommodation built by the Burkina Faso Government in collaboration with the Taiwan government for tourists. 21 Sept 09