Cassiel Ato Forson allocates $1bn to complete Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam

Minister of Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced a $1 billion allocation in the 2027 Budget to complete the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project. The government aims to finish the construction by December 2030, fulfilling a key commitment of President John Mahama's administration. This significant funding follows years of delay under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, with officials stating that this new investment will finally address the frustrations of communities waiting for the project's benefits.

The dam is set to become a major hub for commercial agriculture in northern Ghana by providing irrigation for 25,000 hectares of land. This infrastructure is expected to transform farming in the region, allowing for year-round agricultural production and significantly improving national food security. Dr. Forson emphasized that the scale of the investment reflects the government's strategy to move toward large-scale commercial farming to drive economic growth.

Beyond irrigation, the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam will integrate energy production and aquaculture to diversify the local economy. The project includes a hydropower plant capable of generating 70 megawatts of electricity, which will bolster the national power supply. Additionally, the plan includes the installation of 1,000 fish cages to support a robust domestic aquaculture industry, providing new income streams for residents in the Upper East and North East regions.

Dr. Forson concluded that the $1 billion commitment in the 2027 Budget underscores the government's focus on completing strategic infrastructure that offers high economic returns. By setting a clear path to completion by 2030, the Mahama administration intends to create a sustainable economic foundation for northern Ghana. The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, contributing to a more balanced national development.