Ghana’s government has announced plans to expand its Water-Energy-Nexus Project to all irrigation schemes nationwide, aiming to strengthen food security, reduce reliance on imports, and advance renewable energy adoption.
The first pilot project, a 1-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, is under development at the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme in Greater Accra. The project, funded by the Korean Government with a $5 million investment, covers the cost of the solar plant, capacity building, and site rehabilitation. Construction is expected to begin early next year and be completed within eight months, according to Energy News Africa.
Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor said the government will soon begin pilot projects in three regions. “In the coming weeks, we will begin pilot projects in three regions,” he said, describing the initial rollout. He added that the projects will involve installing solar-powered pumps to enable all-year farming, boost food security, cut down the import bill, and stabilise the currency.
Jinapor confirmed that the Finance Ministry has approved the program. “Approval has already been secured from the Minister of Finance,” he said, emphasizing the financial backing for the initiative. He also highlighted collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry, noting: “Together with the Minister for Agriculture, we will roll out an integrated system that provides both irrigation and potable water for communities.”
The use of solar technology is expected to reduce reliance on costly diesel generators, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance resilience against climate variability.
The project is part of a broader collaboration between Ghana and South Korea, following a $2 billion framework agreement signed in June 2024, aimed at driving development in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience, according to the Ministry of Finance.
Ghana’s abundant sunlight, ranging from 4 to 6 kWh/m² daily, with between 1,800 and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, provides high potential for solar electricity generation, noted Climate Policy Lab. Integrating renewable energy into irrigation aligns with Ghana’s broader energy transition goals, including increasing the share of renewable energy in the national mix.
Jinapor added that the government will continue collaborating with Korea to adopt modern agricultural technology while mobilizing local resources to sustain the program.
The expansion of solar-powered irrigation is expected to significantly improve food security, enable consistent agricultural production, reduce import bills, and support climate-smart agriculture and sustainable development across the country.
