One-Village, One-Dam was only a campaign promise - Minister

Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Sagre Bambangi has said it is unlearned and commonsensical for Ghanaians to hold the view that all villages in the north will have dams as promised prior to the 2016 campaigns.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo prior to the 2016 elections, promised to construct dams in all villages in all three regions of the north to encourage dry season farming.

The policy is expected to commence this dry season as officials under the project have stated that dams cannot be constructed in the rainy season.

But speaking to journalists in Tamale, the Deputy Minister said what government seeks to do is to make water accessible to farmers in various communities if residents desire to engage in dry season farming.

“Not all villages will have dams. We said one village, one dam because it was a campaign message. It is commonsensical to say that all villages will have dams. There are already some villages with dams so we will desilt them and those that cannot have access to water we will find ways of getting water to them”, he said.

Meanwhile, government, as part of its flagship programme; would build 10 units of 300KW Biopower and 80 hectres of centre pivot irrigation dams in 10 selected villages within the Kpandai District.

It would also construct a 300KW dairy farm biogas power plant and irrigation dam as well as fertilizer production units in selected villages in the three regions of the north.

The programme is in partnership with the Renewable Energy and Environmental Conservation (REEC) Biopower, a subsidiary of Hi-Limit Group.