Dawhenya: Mr. John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, has initiated the construction of a 1MW solar power plant at the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme in the Greater Accra Region. This development is part of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Project (WEFP), funded by the Korean Government and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition (MoEn and GT) and the Korean Association of Machinery Industry (KOAMI).
According to Ghana News Agency, the project partners include the Ministry of Finance, Energy Commission, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. At the sod-cutting ceremony, Mr. Jinapor emphasized the project's significance in addressing energy transition and food security challenges, highlighting its potential to innovate and sustain future generations.
Mr. Jinapor emphasized the solar plant's role in providing reliable power for irrigation, reducing reliance on diesel generators, and enhancing rice production and food security in Dawhenya and beyond. The initiative also aims to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with Ghana's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and create employment opportunities in agriculture and renewable energy sectors.
The project, with an estimated cost of $5 million, encompasses construction, training for MoEn and GT staff on plant operations and management, and other technical support. Completion is anticipated within eight to twelve months. Mr. Jinapor pointed out that Ghana's reliance on rain-fed agriculture poses significant challenges. While South Korea has extensively irrigated farmland, Ghana utilizes only about three percent of its potential irrigable land.
Food inflation has contributed to the country's 23.8 percent consumer price inflation in 2024, with rising costs of staples such as rice, yam, and tomato. The government aims to irrigate over one million hectares in the next five years, starting with 400 solar water pumps in 2026 and increasing to 3,500 pumps by 2028 to cover 400,000 hectares.
Mr. Jinapor assured efforts to secure tax exemptions on imported materials and equipment for the plant, urging timely project completion. He encouraged local farmers and residents to protect and utilize the facility, reclaiming encroached irrigation lands for agricultural purposes.
Madam Kim Hyunjoo, Second Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, highlighted the project's alignment with Ghana's 'Feed Ghana' Programme and Korea's 'K-Rice Belt' initiative. She praised the collaboration between Ghanaian and Korean institutions, which has strengthened bilateral relations.
Mr. Kyu Young Hwang, President and CEO of Kunhwa Engineering and Consulting Co. Ltd, expressed pride in participating in this milestone initiative, which he described as transformative. Despite challenges since the project's inception in 2023, Kunhwa successfully completed the design phase in 2024, working closely with Ghanaian agencies such as the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, ECG, and the Energy Commission.