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Developed Funding of GH¢253 million for Pwalugu Irrigation Project; however, Peasant Farmers Express Insufficiency of Allocated Amount

Allocated funds for Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam construction fall short as per 2023 national budget, according to Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG); Executive Director, Dr. Charles Nyaaba, deemed the budgeted GH¢253million inadequate, despite acknowledging the government's efforts to...

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Government has allocated approximately GH¢253 million for constructing the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose...
Government has allocated approximately GH¢253 million for constructing the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam, as stated in the 2023 budget. However, the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has deemed this amount as significantly insufficient. Although the association acknowledged the importance of irrigation that the government has shown, Dr. Charles Nyaaba, the Executive Director of PFAG, expressed this view during a press conference at the Association's office.

Developed Funding of GH¢253 million for Pwalugu Irrigation Project; however, Peasant Farmers Express Insufficiency of Allocated Amount

Rebooted Revamp:

Let's chat about the buzz surrounding the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam in Ghana's 2023 national budget, shall we? Although the government earmarked a smidge over GH¢253 million for this project, the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has voiced some concern, deeming the amount inadequate for substantial irrigation development.

At a recent media conference, PFAG's Executive Director, Dr. Charles Nyaaba, expressed his apprehension regrettably yet firmly—the allocation doesn't cut it for a meaningful irrigation boost.

Besides this planned investment for Pwalugu, the government spoke of allocating an extra GH¢200 million in 2023 for irrigation infrastructure expansion, particularly in the Northern zone. But Dr. Nyaaba isn't entirely sold—he feels other regions, specifically the middle and southern parts, appear to be continually bypassed from these investments.

"Farmers in Volta, Oti, Central, Western, and other regions are grappling with a continuous dependence on rain-fed agriculture, with minimal irrigation investment," he shared, urging the government to extend irrigation schemes nationwide.

Pwalugu: Delays and the Recent Allocation

The Pwalugu multi-purpose dam was designed to play a sizable role in Ghana's mission for food security in the upcoming years. Despite a sod-cutting ceremony at the site back in 2019, groundbreaking for the $993 million dam remains a dream yet-to-be-realized, aimed for completion in 2023.

If all goes as planned, this dam will provide a 25,000-hectare irrigation scheme and enhance water supply in the country's Northern regions. However, the project's delay has led prominent parties like the PFAG to express worry, leaving farmers uncertain about its survival and success.

In earlier media engagements, the PFAG had even urged the government to raise agriculture as a priority during talks with the International Monetary Fund, in hopes of channeling substantial bailout gains toward dam construction.

The PFAG welcomes the GH¢253 million allocation as a promising commitment from the government, believing the dam's completion would not only alleviate flood issues caused by the Bagre Dam and other local struggles but also propel Ghana's national food security endeavors.

As part of the broader vision to modernize Ghana's irrigation system, the government has been investing in agriculture mechanization. In 2023, it plans to budget $29.9 million for machinery and equipment procurement.

Indeed, 25% of the equipment allocated under this strategy has already reached farmers, as per MoFA (Ministry of Food and Agriculture).

Now, you might wonder about farmer concerns that lurk behind the PFAG's discontent. Here are some common issues that farmer associations often voice when it comes to large infrastructure projects like dams:

  1. Agricultural Land Impact: Dams can displace farmers and affect agricultural land use, potentially jeopardizing food security and livelihoods.
  2. Environmental and Social Consequences: Dams can lead to waterlogging, loss of biodiversity, and displacement of communities, causing significant social and environmental repercussions.
  3. Unequal Economic Benefits Distribution: Economic benefits from such projects may not always favor local communities or farmers, leading to concerns about fairness and equity.
  4. Misaligned Funding Allocation: Funding allocations might not always reflect the needs or priorities of local farming communities, potentially bypassing immediate concerns or projects beneficial for them directly.

For specific details on the PFAG's concerns, it's best to seek their official statements or connect with them directly for detailed insights.

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