A team of engineers and officials from the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) has visited the Weta Irrigation Scheme to assess the critical challenges affecting rice farmers in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region.
The inspection tour was aimed at identifying immediate and long-term solutions to restore the scheme’s efficiency and safeguard the livelihoods of over 1,200 farming families.
Speaking to the media after the visit, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Mr Eric Edem Agbana, assured farmers that urgent measures would be taken in the coming weeks to provide short-term relief before the start of the new farming season.
“Our priority is to restore the scheme as quickly as possible so that farmers can reclaim their lands and prepare for the next planting season. This is crucial in preventing further losses and ensuring food security in the region,” Mr Agbana said.
He added that long-term rehabilitation efforts would also be implemented in the next few months to make the irrigation scheme sustainable for farmers.
The Weta Irrigation Scheme, one of the largest in the country, has fallen into a state of disrepair, threatening over 1,000 hectares of arable land, and affecting the incomes of thousands of people.
The breakdown of infrastructure, including irrigation canals and water pumps, has reduced the scheme’s efficiency, leaving farmers struggling to cultivate their fields.
The economic impact has been severe, with over 10,000 indirect dependents across 23 surrounding communities facing difficulties due to declining agricultural productivity.
Mr Agbana reassured farmers that he remains committed to fully resolving the crisis and ensuring that they can return to productive farming.
“To the over 1,200 families affected by this crisis, I want you to know that I will not rest until this issue is fully resolved. Our farmers are the backbone of our community, and their success is our collective success,” he said.
He also promised transparency and open governance, pledging to keep the public informed of every step taken to rehabilitate the irrigation system.
“As I promised during the election campaign, I will ensure transparent and open governance, keeping you informed every step of the way. We are in this together, my dear farmers,” he assured.
The visit by GIDA engineers marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing issues affecting the Weta Irrigation Scheme.
Farmers remain hopeful that the government’s intervention will restore the scheme’s functionality and boost rice production in the region.
Meanwhile, stakeholders, including local authorities and agricultural experts, are expected to collaborate to ensure a lasting solution to the challenges facing the irrigation project.
Reporting by Stephen Freeman, Accra.
