Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong has linked the current drought crisis in the country to the impacts of climate change, emphasizing that the primary challenge lies in the changing weather patterns rather than irrigation.
In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, he highlighted that the Ghana Meteorological Agency had informed the government about a significant shift in the planting season, moving it forward by an entire month. Unfortunately, this crucial information was not adequately communicated to farmers, exacerbating the situation.
“This shift in the planting season, which is a fundamental change caused by climate change, disrupted our agricultural planning,” Acheampong stated.
“We invested heavily in inputs, training, land development, seeds, and fertilizers, but with this change, all our efforts were compromised.”
The Abetifi MP acknowledged that while climate change itself cannot be prevented, measures must be put in place to protect Ghana’s food systems.
Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong discussed the role of irrigation in addressing Ghana’s farming challenges, emphasizing its importance in enabling year-round agriculture regardless of rainfall. However, he clarified that developing comprehensive irrigation systems is a substantial investment, far beyond the scope of the smaller earth dams constructed under the “One District, One Dam” initiative.
Acheampong highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to expand irrigation projects nationwide, citing developments in regions such as Afram Plains, Tono, and the Upper West, where 19 small-scale irrigation projects are currently being implemented.
Additionally, he mentioned 15 ongoing projects in the Northern Region aimed at constructing small earth dams or dugouts to store rainwater for agricultural and livestock needs.
He pointed out that these dams, primarily designed to collect rainwater during the wet season, have been largely effective in their intended roles, providing essential water resources for household use, livestock, and small-scale farming activities.
“We must always measure an initiative against its intended purpose,” Mr Acheampong said, defending the effectiveness of the projects despite criticisms of their scale and scope.
He concluded that while the government is committed to expanding irrigation, addressing the broader impacts of climate change on agriculture remains a pressing challenge that requires comprehensive planning and continuous adaptation.
Emergency measures to protect farmers and avert food crisis