The Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) has received a grant of $6,530,000 from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to begin rehabilitation works on the Aveyime Irrigation Scheme in the Volta Region and Ashaiman and Dawhenya Irrigation scheme in the Greater Accra region.
Mr Moo Heon Kong, the Country Director of KOICA-Ghana, who signed on behalf of KOICA, recalled that on January 6, 2021, KOICA signed the record of discussion with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to construct the Aveyime Irrigation Scheme in the Volta Region, and the Ashaiman and Dawhenya Irrigation scheme in the Greater Accra region.
Mr Moo Heon Kong noted that the signing between KOICA and the GIDA, which would in turn implement the projects, cemented the partnership arrangement and showed the commitment of both organisations to support the transformation of the Agriculture sector.
“The project aims at increasing the incomes of farmers in target areas because there can be all-year round farming with efficient irrigation infrastructure and improved irrigation water supply at the beneficiary schemes.”
Mr Moo Heon Kong
Through the project, KOICA is confident that the capacities of the Water Users Association (WUA) and government officers will be built to manage the schemes and will eventually lead to an increase in agricultural production and productivity for farmers.”
Acting CEO of GIDA Lauds the project
The Acting Chief Executive Officer for GIDA, Mr Richard Oppong-Boateng, who signed for the Authority, lauded the project and explained that following the era of climate change, any investment in the irrigation sub-sector of Agriculture could be the game changer for agricultural transformation.
“Rice growing schemes contribute a lot to rice production and offer direct jobs to over 600 smallholder farmers and many indirect jobs in Ghana. Rehabilitation of these schemes will definitely increase production and contribute to the intention of the state to reduce importation of rice, which amounts to USD 500 million annually. The intervention by KOICA-GIDA to increase yields in rice production is in line with the Vision of Ghana.”
Mr Richard Oppong-Boateng
The project, dubbed ‘the rehabilitation of irrigation scheme and improvement of irrigation water management project’ is expected to improve food security and enhanced livelihoods for farmers, especially to increase yields in rice production in beneficiary communities.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency was founded as a government agency on April 1, 1991, to maximize the effectiveness of South Korea’s grant aid programs for developing countries by implementing the government’s grant aid and technical cooperation programs.
KOICA invests in agricultural and rural development as well as the conservation of natural resources and the ecosystem against climate change through the Agriculture & Rural Development Mid-Term Strategy (2021-2025).
