The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Mr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has cut the sod for the construction of a 1MW solar power plant to support the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme.

The project, a collaboration between Ghana and South Korea, is designed to promote the productive use of renewable energy in agriculture and other critical sectors of the economy.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister underscored the vital role of energy in modern agriculture, especially as climate change continues to disrupt rain-fed farming systems.

He stressed the urgency of adopting clean, affordable, and reliable power sources to sustain irrigation schemes and strengthen national food security.

“Currently, Ghana irrigates only about 3% of cultivated land, though the country has irrigation potential estimated between 360,000 and 1.9 million hectares.

This means we must invest heavily in renewable energy-powered irrigation schemes to reduce overdependence on rainfall,” Mr. Jinapor stated.

The Dawhenya solar-powered irrigation project is expected to:

Provide reliable energy for irrigation activities.

Reduce dependence on expensive diesel-powered pumps.

Boost rice production and food security in Dawhenya and surrounding communities.

Cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Create green jobs, particularly for women and young people in agriculture and renewable energy.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating renewable energy solutions into agriculture, noting that the project represents a model for future investments in sustainable farming.