Pwalugu Dam construction takeoff soon

Ghana poised to reduce the import of rice

By Benson Afful

Ghana will reduce by 16 percent and 32 percent in the import of rice and maize respectively after the completion of the Pwalugu Multi-purpose project in the Northern Region, Ing. Kwaku Wiafe, Manager, Business development at the Volta River Authority (VRA) has said.

The project, which is part of the Sinohydro deal comprises hydropower, dam, and irrigation will cost the US$300million to complete its construction in the next three years.

Means that Pwalugu Dam after completion will produce 60MW of energy and control floods as well be used for irrigation to ensure all-round farming in the northern sector of the country. The project will result in the development of a 20,000-hectare irrigation scheme, the largest in the country and will boost agriculture and other economic activities in Upper and North East regions.

Ing. Wiafe, speaking at the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose stakeholder engagement meeting in Accra said the project would increase access to electricity in the northern sector by 90 percent, as it will improve voltage and reliability of power supply to NEDCo. Reduce the frequency of floods downstream and avert the destruction of lives and properties. The current project design strikes the best balance among the project benefits of hydropower, flood control, irrigation, and the environmental and social impact,” he said.

Mr. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, the Chief Executive Officer of VRA, said the irrigation scheme would boost agricultural production and form basis for agro-industries, including the revival of the Pwalugu Tomato Factory.

He has the potential to produce 117,000 tons of rice and 49,000 tons of maize. Other crops that will benefit from increased production include onion, tomatoes, sweet potato, sweet pepper, and watermelon, he added. Promote agricultural production and attract large-scale commercial farms, supported by smaller scale out growers, no doubt, impact the government’s flagship programs of one district one factory. The multi-purpose project also has the potential for smaller irrigation schemes around the reservoir, fish farming that will improve livelihoods and create jobs.

There would be the need to resettle the local communities to make way for the construction of the dam and reservoir. According to Mr. Antwi-Darkwa, this is the point where opinions diverge and in some cases have led to the stalling of many projects. He, therefore, urged stakeholders to treat issues of resettlement with extreme sensitivity and in conformity with the cultural norms and tradition of the people.

The Volta River Authority has given the indication government will soon start the construction of the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Power Dam project in the Northern Region and is expected to kick start this year. The expectation, to boost agricultural production.