The World Bank commits $30m to boost Ghana’s irrigation systems, enhancing agricultural productivity and food security through sustainable investments and modernized irrigation schemes.
The World Bank has pledged to provide an additional $30 million to address the funding gap in Ghana’s Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), aimed at enhancing irrigation farming and agricultural productivity. Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank’s Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa, announced the commitment during his visit to the Kpong Irrigation Scheme and Kpong Left Bank Irrigation System sites.
“There’s a $30 million funding gap to see the full completion of this project. We’ve been a long-standing partner with Ghana in various areas, and we are happy to consider providing additional financing if necessary,” Diagana stated.
Despite estimates suggesting Ghana has 1.9 million hectares of irrigable land, only about 1.6% is currently equipped for irrigation, far below the regional average of 13.9% for West and Central Africa. This low rate has negatively impacted the country’s agricultural productivity and food resilience.
Diagana emphasized the importance of investing in agriculture, noting that it is key for job creation and income generation, stating, “No country can develop without investing in its agriculture.” He urged the Ghanaian government to focus on sustainable investments in smart agriculture to increase productivity and reduce the reliance on imports of rice, maize, and vegetables.
The World Bank Vice President commended the ongoing irrigation projects in Asutuare and Kpong, where productivity is already reaching six tonnes per hectare. He noted that the best results show that productivity close to seven tonnes per hectare demonstrates an effective use of resources and significantly increases the project’s likelihood of success.
Ghana’s strategic geographic location as a gateway to other countries was highlighted as an advantage. Diagana also reaffirmed the World Bank’s continued support to scale up irrigation efforts for food security and resilience.
FSRP Project Coordinator, Osei Owusu Agyeman, highlighted the program’s focus on adaptive mobility and sustainable interventions to strengthen vulnerable households, communities, and farmers against food production shocks. With $22.5 million already contributed by the World Bank, the FSRP has modernized major irrigation schemes in the country.
Priscilla Adom Tawiah, Secretary of the Investors Cooperative at the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation System, praised the project’s benefits for youth and women in agriculture. She called for more affordable funding and matching grants for agricultural players, suggesting such support could accelerate business growth, transform the left bank area, and turn it into an agribusiness tourist site.
“We’ve brought a lot of economic development to the people,” she said, stressing the importance of expanding access to financial resources for those involved in agriculture.
