John Mahama Promises to Complete Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam.
The president of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated his promise to complete the construction of the Pwalugu multi-purpose dam under the Big Push Infrastructure Program to boost the agricultural sector of the region.
Speaking during his thank-you visit to the Upper East Region on Thursday, April 20, 2025, the president told the people of the upper east region that he remains committed to the betterment of the region.
“I have directed the Finance Minister to commence a re-scoping of the project and a re-evaluation of its various faces for inclusion into our Big Push Infrastructure Financing program,” he added.
He went on to explain that “the Pwalugu Multi-purpose Dam was designed to produce about 110 MW of hydro and solar hybrid power, to bring thousands of hectares of land under irrigation, and to also serve as a warehouse for flood control on the White Volta River but was abandoned by the previous government, though the sod was cut just before the 2020 general elections.”
He added that about $12 million of taxpayers’ money has been sunk into the project without any tangible outcome. He also revealed that they are leveraging Ghanaian civil engineering expertise to complete the project.
The former president of Ghana His Excellency Nana Akuffo Addo cut sod for the construction of the Pwalugu multi-purpose dam in November 2020 to be funded by a syno-hydro deal at an estimated cost of $993 million.
The project, however, became a stalemate, sparking serious lamentations and worries by Ghanaians, especially when an alleged $11.9 million was paid to China Power International Group Ltd., the contractor of the project.
The president went on to reveal his plans for other agricultural projects in the region. He also promised to tackle the construction of the Tamne irrigation project, which will provide an all-year-round farming practice for the people of Garu, Tempani, Binduri and other places.
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He went further to state that his government will again commence construction of the Narsia, Naabogo irrigation project under a public-private partnership program (PPP) to ensure all-year-round irrigation activities in the region.
According to the president, “the upper east region is the source of some of the country’s finest human resources, producing distinguished leaders who have played pivotal roles in every aspect of our national history.”
The president believes that completing these projects will promote food security in the region and the country at large.