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

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

In his address, the Minister underscored the critical link between energy and agriculture, noting that climate change has increasingly disrupted rain-fed farming systems.

He emphasised that Ghana must accelerate investment in clean, affordable, and reliable energy to power irrigation systems, safeguard food production, and strengthen national food security.

Currently, Ghana irrigates just 3% of its cultivated land, despite having irrigation potential of between 360,000 and 1.9 million hectares.

The Minister stressed that scaling up renewable energy-powered irrigation schemes is essential to boosting crop yields, reducing dependence on rainfall, and ensuring resilience against climate change.

The Dawhenya solar-powered irrigation project is expected to:

Provide reliable energy for irrigation systems.

Reduce dependence on costly diesel-powered generators.

Enhance rice production and overall food security in Dawhenya and beyond.

Contribute to Ghana’s climate commitments by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Create green jobs for youth and women in agriculture and renewable energy.

Hon. Jinapor commended both local and international partners for their vision, technical expertise, and resources in making the initiative possible.

He called for strong collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority to deliver impactful and sustainable results.

Officially launching the groundbreaking ceremony, the Minister affirmed that the project represents more than just an investment in energy—it lays the foundation for a resilient, climate-smart agricultural future for Ghana.

He also emphasised the importance of reclaiming and preserving state lands designated for agriculture to ensure they serve their intended purpose of national food security and economic growth.