The Vea Dam, located in the Bongo District of Ghana’s Upper East Region, has been a crucial source of irrigation since its establishment in 1965. However, the dam has not undergone significant rehabilitation over the years. Spanning over 850 hectares, it supports more than 2,500 farmers, who cultivate rice, peppers, tomatoes, corn, okra, and other vegetables. In total, approximately 1,179 hectares are impacted by the dam’s irrigation system.
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Current Water Supply Challenges from Vea Dam
Water extracted from the dam is treated at the Vea/Gowrie plant, which is designed to process 7,200 cubic meters per day. However, the plant currently produces only about 5,500 m³ per day, resulting in water rationing in the Bolgatanga District, where daily demand reaches 9,000 m³.
World Bank’s Rehabilitation Investment
To address these challenges, the World Bank has announced a $125 million financing package for the rehabilitation of the Vea Dam. A significant portion of this funding—80%—will go towards irrigation improvements. The focus will be on restoring broken canals, automating water delivery systems, and upgrading infrastructure such as bridges and roads along the Vea Left Bank, which directly benefits 850 hectares of land used by local farmers.
Ms. Ashwini Rekha Sebastian, the World Bank Task Team Leader for the West Africa Food Systems Resilience Program, emphasised that these improvements are crucial to enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring a reliable water supply for farmers in the region.
Climate-Smart Agriculture
The project will also integrate climate-smart agricultural practices, including farmer training to enhance productivity and improve overall yield. The design updates for the Vea Dam’s irrigation system have been completed, and inspections are now underway to evaluate the current state of the infrastructure.
Commitment to Agricultural Modernisation
Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, reiterated the government’s commitment to modernising agriculture through year-round irrigation, which will help create sustainable livelihoods. He stressed the importance of engaging local youth in agricultural initiatives once the project is completed to boost employment opportunities.
Farmers’ Concerns and Project Timeline
The rehabilitation project aims to develop over 850 hectares for continuous cultivation. Still, some farmers have raised concerns about the project’s timeline. However, assurances have been given that work will begin by the end of the year.
Mr. Dominic Anarigede, managing director of ICOUR, praised the World Bank’s involvement, noting the project’s potential to enhance agricultural productivity and food resilience in the region. The rehabilitation will modernise the Vea Dam’s left bank, including the construction of new canals, the rehabilitation of the spillway, and overall automation of the irrigation system.
Support from Local Leaders
Lawyer Charles Bawa Dua, the Member of Parliament for Bongo, pledged to expedite parliamentary approval for the financing, acknowledging the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to empower local farmers and create job opportunities for the youth.
