Ghana has taken a significant step towards harnessing the power of solar energy to drive economic growth and development, with the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, announcing plans to deploy solar irrigation pumps across the country, particularly in areas that relied heavily on rain-fed agriculture.

The solar irrigation pumps will enable Ghanaians to engage in productive agricultural activities all year round, regardless of the season, he noted.

The initiative is expected to boost food production and improve the livelihoods of farmers, as Ghana aimed to learn from India’s experience in pioneering solar irrigation pumps, with a Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed to facilitate technology transfer and collaboration.

Several key features of the initiative include local content development, solar rooftop solutions, and upgrade solutions.

The collaboration is expected to promote local content development, including training Ghanaian artisans and technicians to deploy and maintain solar pumps.

Ghana also plans to deploy solar rooftop solutions to critical institutions in areas without access to electricity and is working on deploying upgrade solutions to further enhance its energy infrastructure.

The benefits of the initiative are numerous. Solar irrigation pumps will enable farmers to cultivate crops all year round, increasing food production and improving food security.

The initiative is also expected to create jobs for Ghanaian artisans and technicians who will be trained to deploy and maintain solar pumps.

Furthermore, the project aligns with Ghana’s vision to have a minimum of 10% of its energy mix emanating from renewables, excluding hydro potentials.

By leveraging international collaboration and expertise, Ghana is poised to make significant strides in its renewable energy development and improve the lives of its citizens.