The World Bank may be approached by the government for financial support in order to complete the Pwalugu multipurpose dam project, according to the Vice President, Dr Bawumia.
It will be recalled that the government cut sod for the $993
million Sinohydro funded Pwalugu multifunctional dam project in
2019 with the goal of providing flood control, irrigation for year-round farming, and electricity.
But because of a lack of funding, the project has been put on hold.
In 2021, the consultant for the multi-purpose Pwalugu Dam, Prof.David Millar, expressed doubt about the project’s completion
within the government’s stipulated 48-month period.
On his part, the exclusion of the dam from the government’s budget shows no indication that it will be built.
He added that Ghanaians should reduce their expectations for the
completion of the dam, particularly due to the current economic hardship.
However, speaking at the launch of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project in Bolgatanga, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia mentioned that the project was faced with financial constraints, hence the urgent need to seek support from the World Bank.
According to the Vice President, the aforementioned project is one the government is keen on completing due to its numerous benefits, such as climate resilience, among others, which is another reason why he “believes the World Bank should really take a keen interest in it, and development partners as well.”
“One of the major projects that the government has a major intention to see happen in the Northern regions of Ghana because it will really impact climate resilience, food production, flood control, and so on, is the Pwalugu multipurpose dam project” Dr Bawumia noted.
He further went on to appeal to the World Bank, saying, “I want to put it on the table that we will be discussing this project further with you [the World Bank] so that we can see to its construction.”
In response, Naab Kasom Yelazoya, the Paramount Chief of Nangodi, praised the government’s initiative to work with the World Bank to hasten the construction of the dam and urged the World Bank to act quickly to address their situation.
“I would plead with the World Bank to respond to our call immediately to start the construction of the Pwalugu multipurpose dam. We taught the constitution of the dam would have come much earlier and so already we have lost so much time so we are pleading that the World Bank comes to our aid.”
The incumbent government approved US $700 million for the
construction of a multipurpose dam at Pwalugu in the Talensi District in 2019.
It is reported to be the largest investment any government has
ever made into infrastructure expansion in the northern sector since Ghana’s independence.
The construction of the dam will serve as a receptor, as it is expected to hold large volumes of water spilled from the Bagre Dam for irrigation purposes and the generation of electricity.