The government has announced plans to invest US$1 billion toward the full completion of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam to drive agricultural output, agro-processing, and energy security across northern Ghana.
Presenting the 2027 Budget Statement in Parliament, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson outlined that the phased project will see its initial phase completed by early 2029, with full delivery targeted for the end of 2030.
“The first phase of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam will be ready by early 2029, with full completion by December 2030,” Dr Forson stated.
Once operational, the facility will generate 77 megawatts of hydropower and irrigate approximately 25,000 hectares of farmland dedicated to large-scale vegetable cultivation. Its reservoir is also designed to accommodate 100,000 fish cages to bolster domestic aquaculture.
Dr. Forson noted that the infrastructure will mitigate perennial flooding and secure water supplies along the White Volta basin, creating a reliable foundation for agribusiness.
“Pwalugu will support year-round vegetable production, flood protection, water security, agriculture and agribusiness across the dry water corridor,” he told Parliament.
Power generated from the dam will directly supply local irrigation networks, processing factories, pack houses, and cold storage facilities, enabling farmers to add value to produce near cultivation zones. To maximise the project’s impact, the government will also establish complementary vegetable enclaves, protected cultivation systems, and water harvesting infrastructure in other regions.
The US$1 billion allocation falls under the government’s broader New Economy Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at commercialising agriculture, expanding local industry, and generating sustainable employment.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana