Expedite $125m ratification for Vea Dam rehabilitation — World Bank to MoF
The World Bank has called on the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to fast-track parliamentary ratification of the $125 million additional financing package for the West Africa Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP).
That, the multilateral development bank said, would pave the way for the commencement of rehabilitation works on the Vea Irrigation Scheme in the Upper East Region, which is expected to utilise 80 per cent of the funding.
The World Bank stated that although its Executive Board approved the funding in April this year, the project had not yet commenced because it was still awaiting parliamentary ratification.
The bank stressed that further delays could stall the implementation and render the funds to implement the completed design and procurement processes unutilised.
Supervision mission
The World Bank (WB) Representative for FSRP, Dr Ashwini Rheka Sebastian, made the statement during a joint supervision mission conducted by officials from the World Bank, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to the Vea Irrigation Scheme last Wednesday.
According to her, 80 per cent of the $125 million additional financing had been earmarked for irrigation infrastructure, with the Vea Left Bank expected to benefit from the rehabilitation of about 850 hectares.
“We are here today because we have completed the design updates for the Vea scheme.
What is holding us back now is the parliamentary ratification.
Once that is secured, we can proceed to contract construction and supervision firms to begin the work,” Dr Sebastian stated.
She said the rehabilitation would include the reconstruction of main canals, lateral systems that delivered water directly to farms, access roads, community bridges and automation systems.
The World Bank’s Representative on FSRP said climate-smart components such as improved seeds and farmer training would also be part of the intervention.
Dr Sebastian stated that the World Bank was working with private sector partners to improve market access and secure better prices for farmers under the Feed Ghana Programme, adding that a pilot aggregation model was being planned to link producers to larger buyers.
Stakeholders react
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bongo, Charles Bawaduah, expressed confidence that the project would enjoy bipartisan support in Parliament and assured the World Bank of Parliament’s commitment to ratify the funds once laid before the House.
“This dam was built more than 60 years ago and has not undergone any major rehabilitation.
The canals have deteriorated beyond use, and this has affected farming significantly. I have no doubt that once the documentation reaches Parliament, we will pass it,” he said.
Mr Bawaduah, however, appealed to the World Bank to consider including the main reservoir in the rehabilitation plan, without which the availability of water could still pose a challenge.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, welcomed the intervention and commended the World Bank and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for including the region in the programme.
“When the irrigation rehabilitation plans were first announced, the Upper East Region was not mentioned.
We raised our concerns and are grateful that our plea has been considered,” the Regional Minister said.
Mr Akamugri said the project would boost food production and serve as a major source of employment for the youth.
The minister also appealed to young people in the region to take advantage of the project once it was completed, and called on communities along the project area to prevent encroachment and support its smooth implementation.
Collapsed scheme
The acting Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), Dominic Atogumsekiya Anarigide, described the Vea scheme as “collapsed” and said both farmers and staff were eager for the rehabilitation to begin.
“Our canals are damaged, water cannot flow, and some parts are deeply silted. Farmers have been crying for this rehabilitation for years, though it has delayed,” he stated.
Mr Anarigide also called on Parliament and the Ministry of Finance to speed up the ratification process so that work could start.
Background
The Vea Irrigation Scheme is one of four targeted schemes under the FSRP, along with the Weta, Kpong and Tanoso schemes, and 20 inland valley sites across other parts of the country.
The project aims to enhance food security, build climate resilience and create employment across Ghana’s agricultural sector.
