Accra: Mr. Mawuli Abusah, District Director of the Department of Food and Agriculture (DoFA) in Agortime-Ziope, has announced the completion of an assessment for the rehabilitation of the collapsed Keyime Dam.
According to Ghana News Agency, the assessment was carried out by engineers from the head office of the Irrigation Development Authority (IDA) in Accra, following a formal complaint submitted by Mr. Abusah's office through the Volta Regional Directorate of DoFA. Mr. Abusah revealed that the dam, which was originally constructed in 1963 to provide drinking water for over 7,000 residents, collapsed in June 2025 after a heavy downpour. This incident marks the dam's second collapse, with the first occurring in October 1995 under similar circumstances.
Beyond its role as a source of potable water, the Keyime Dam has been pivotal for dry-season vegetable farming and served as a fishing site, significantly contributing to the local economy. Mr. Abusah expressed optimism that the dam's rehabilitation would restore livelihoods and boost economic activities in the area.
Residents of the catchment area welcomed the news but urged the Agortime-Ziope DoFA to take full control of the dam. They criticized the current situation where a few individuals monopolize the dam for personal gain, including exclusive fishing rights, which limits broader community benefits. The residents believe that proper management by the DoFA could generate significant Internally Generated Funds (IGF) for the Agortime-Ziope District Assembly.
