Ghana gets five million euros for solar power irrigation

Accra, Sept. 22, GNA - Ghana and ISOFOTON, a Spanish irrigation construction firm, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the commencement of work on a nation-wide five million (5m) Euro solar power small irrigation projects.

The 16-month project would involve the building of water pumping systems in the form of boreholes, tube wells and dugouts, equipped with solar system to generate electricity in remote rural areas far from major irrigation systems in all the 10 regions of Ghana. Mr Ernest Debrah, Minister of Food and Agriculture signed for Ghana, and Mr Christian Daucik, Director of Africa, Asia and Middle East Division of ISOFOTON, signed for his outfit.

Mr Debrah said the project, meant to modernise agriculture would immediately commence after detailed areas were completed before the end of the year.

The five million Euro loan is the first instalment of an eight million euro loan to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, being part of a 65 million euro loan from the Spanish government this year, towards the development of various sectors of the economy. Mr Debra said the remaining three million euros would be used for mechanical and electrical irrigation.

Mr Daucik said small irrigation system had improved agriculture in North Africa, Asia and the Middle East and promised that ISOFOTON would fulfil its obligation and complete the work on schedule.