Canada backs GHS 8 million irrigation project for northern Ghana

Ghana has begun a GHS 8 million irrigation project across five northern regions. This initiative installs 25 modern solar-powered boreholes. The goal is to boost vegetable production during the dry season and empower women economically.

The Greater Rural Opportunities for Women 2 (GROW 2) programme implements this project. Global Affairs Canada funds GROW 2. Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) are the executing partners. This intervention aims to enhance food security, increase farmers' incomes, and reduce poverty in the northern belt.

Erratic rainfall and limited water sources have long hurt farming productivity in northern Ghana. This has led to seasonal unemployment for farmers. The new solar-powered boreholes provide a steady, environmentally friendly water source. This enables farming all year, extending beyond the rainy season. This project is a key step to strengthen the agricultural sector in underserved regions.

Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture, spoke at the project's inauguration in Moglaa. He called the project a strategic move to improve food security. He expects northern Ghana to become a centre for year-round vegetable production. Each facility includes solar pumps, water storage systems, and irrigation tools for efficiency.

The boreholes spread across districts in the Northern, Upper West, and Savannah regions. These facilities will support about 50 acres of irrigable land. They will benefit over 3,000 women farmers organised into Savings and Loans Groups across 11 districts. Additional support, including training, farm inputs, and market access, will maximise the project's impact.

Myriam Montrat, Canada's High Commissioner to Ghana, confirmed Canada's commitment. She stated this intervention aligns development financing with Ghana's agricultural goals. These goals include expanding irrigation and reducing food scarcity. Ms. Montrat called the boreholes "engines of transformation" for rural areas.

Canada will continue to support agricultural development in northern Ghana. This support will extend beyond the GROW 2 project, which ends in September 2026. The focus on women farmers aims to address structural issues in northern Ghana. Women are vital in vegetable farming but often lack land, money, and irrigation. Linking water access to group financing structures strengthens both production and household incomes.

Access to irrigation is crucial for modernising agriculture. Solar energy reduces operating costs and exposure to volatile fuel prices. This ensures the project's long-term sustainability. Farmers in beneficiary communities welcome this development. They expect improved water access to expand production, diversify crops, and enhance their livelihoods. Some farmers believe the project will reduce rural-urban migration by creating local economic opportunities.

Northern regions have historically faced short farming seasons and long dry periods. This caused seasonal unemployment and migration to cities. Expanding irrigation is essential for stable incomes and better food supply chains. This aligns with the government's broader agricultural plans, including the Feed Ghana Programme.