THE Ministry of Food and Agriculture, in partnership with the Canadian High Commission, have announced the successful installation of 10 solar-powered boreholes in the northern part of the country to support irrigation and year-round food production under the government’s flagship Feed Ghana Programme.
The initiative, which will see 25 boreholes constructed in total, is being funded by the Canadian government.
According to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, the facilities would directly benefit communities across the Northern, Savannah, and Upper West regions, with the first 10 boreholes already completed and fully operational in places such as Tamalgu, Zhieng, Bakundiba, Chapuri, Domwine, Salankpang, Ketuo, Kpanshegu, Gindabuo and Sakai.
He told journalists in Accra on Thursday that feasibility studies and environmental assessments had been concluded for the remaining 15 sites, with installation works expected to commence between December 2025 and February 2026.
Beneficiary communities will include Moglaa, Bunglung, Gbandi, Dissah, Bulenga, Serekpere,Yagrung, Yepalsi/Guno and Bakpaba.
Others included, Nakpachee, Issah, Chum, Hakyagagaun, Zimuoper and Tanvaare
“These boreholes will ensure reliable access to clean water for irrigation, support all-year-round vegetable production, and empower women farmers to improve productivity, incomes, and food security in their communities,” he stressed.
The solar-powered borehole systems, he explained, were designed not only to provide potable water but also to make irrigation sustainable, particularly in drought-prone areas.
In addition to irrigation infrastructure, the Minister highlighted that Canada has also committed to supporting mechanisation needs raised by women farmers.
“During a visit to Ghana in June 2025, Canada’s Minister for International Development, Honourable Randeep Sarai, held discussions with the Michel Camp Co-operative Women Farmers Society Limited in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality, where the group had appealed for mechanisation support to ease the labour-intensive nature of vegetable farming,” he noted.
Responding to this call, he stated that the Canadian High Commission has pledged to provide one tractor with accessories, three power tillers, and five planters to the women’s co-operative.
The Minister indicated that the group had already developed safety, maintenance, and revenue-generating plans to ensure the long-term sustainability of the equipment.
“This package will significantly improve the efficiency of farming operations, reduce labour costs, and increase yields and incomes,” Mr Opoku emphasised.
On her part, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms Myriam Montrat, described the interventions as evidence of the strong and enduring partnership between Ghana and Canada in driving agricultural transformation.
She said the initiative aligns with Canada’s Africa Strategy, which focuses on strengthening value chains, expanding markets, promoting inclusive trade, and building resilience to climate change.
Ms Montrat further underlined that the borehole systems would contribute to the government’s Big Push initiative, which places irrigation at the centre of agricultural development.
“These irrigation systems will increase productivity, facilitate new harvest seasons, raise incomes, and strengthen farmers’ contributions to agribusiness and trade opportunities,” she highlighted.
Moreover, she commended the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) for their collaboration in delivering the interventions and assured continued support for Ghana’s agricultural programmes, particularly Feed Ghana and Feed the Industry.
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
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