PRESIDENT NANA ADDO CUTS SOD FOR PWALUGU MULTIPURPOSE DAM PROJECT 29-NOV-2019

President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday, did the formal sod cutting for the commencement of works on the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and Irrigation Project in the Upper East Region. He emphasised that, his government believes in the transformation of the north through provision of crucial infrastructure, support for agriculture and the agro-based industry as these would bring the area on a par with the rest of Ghana in terms of development. 

Prez. Nana Addo detonating explosives to signify start of the project

The project is estimated to cost the Government of Ghana 993 million US Dollars and expected to be completed in a period of 50 months. PowerChina, an expert in hydro-power dams and related construction works, is the contractor for the project.

President Nana Addo observed that during the dry season, agriculture work usually grinds to a halt, as farmers in the north of Ghana continue to depend on rain-fed agriculture, a situation he described as unacceptable in the modern times. The President noted that, irrigation was that vital key strategy to achieving food security, eradication of poverty and generation of rural employment especially, across the northern parts of the country.  

According to him, construction of the dam, which has been on the drawing board since Ghana’s independence, had now become imperative due to the annual floods and deaths that occur in the catchment area and flow-way of the Bagre Dam from upstream Burkina Faso.  He posited for instance that, when the project becomes fully operational, it would eradicate the phenomenon of spending several millions of Dollars on rice importation into Ghana annually as the vast fertile lands in the area would boost rice production and other crops all-year-round. 

The President also described the project as “an important catalyst for improving aquaculture and the fisheries sector” as the Pwalugu Reserviour would be capacitated to accommodate up to 120,000 cages of 25 square meters each of fish. Meanwhile, it would additionally hasten the realisation of government’s flagship 1-Distrcit 1-Factory initiative in the Upper East enclave including the full reactivation of the Pwalugu Tomato Factory.

Energy Minister, Hon. John Peter Amewu in his address touched on the components of the project and disclosed that, it comprised a roller compacted concrete [RCC] dam with earth and rock fill abutments and an elevation of 168 metres above sea level, a reservoir covering an area of 262km², a 60MW powerhouse made up of two Kaplan turbines and a 50MW solar power plant. It also has an irrigation scheme consisting of the 20 meters high water weir and a canal network for about 25,000 hectares of land. 

Energy Minister, Hon. Amewu speaking at the event

Hon. Amewu added that, the construction of the dam will result in the inundation of some forest reserves and farmlands as well as resettlement of people living in the area and that, there was an elaborate plan in place to ensure it is done effectively without adversely affecting families. The hydropower and solar plants he noted, will increase renewable energy generation and enhance the reliability of power supply to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company, NEDCo for onward supply to customers. 

The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, chaired the function and through his representative, Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nalebtang, called on the youth in the area to ready themselves and make good use of the irrigation aspect of the project.

Upper East Regional Minister Hon. Tangoba Abayage in her address, was elated for the coming into fruition of the project stressing that, it was the single most-heavily financed project by government in the north particularly, her region and commended the President on behalf of her region’s chiefs and people. She assured that the necessary consultations had been held with all stakeholders that mattered and that, there wouldn’t be any hitches to the project.

UE Reg. Minister, Hon. Tangoba also spoke at the function

Hon. Tangoba also used the occasion to tout other important achievements of government in the region and mentioned the ongoing rehabilitations and modernisation works at the Tono Irrigation Project revealing that, government had pumped 19.9 million US Dollars into it with current work ratings reaching 42 percent completion. She also touched on the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme and disclosed that, the region had recorded a positive food balance sheet of 158,633 metric tons of rice and other staples.