Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Ebenezer Alumire Ndebilla, has criticised the One Village One Dam initiative implemented by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, describing the majority of the dams constructed under the programme as ineffective and unsustainable.
In an exclusive interview on Channel One Newsroom, the MP noted that most of the dams are unable to support irrigation during the dry season, especially in northern Ghana, where the effects of climate change are worsening and threatening food security.
According to him, the initiative failed to address the core challenges facing farmers in northern communities, particularly access to reliable water sources during periods of drought.
“I have not actually seen any meaningful dam. I am just trying to paraphrase the words of the former Special Initiatives Minister, who said that the money they gave her is not enough to construct any meaningful dam, the GHS 250,000 is not enough.
“Most of the dams under the One Village One Dam programme were like dug-outs, which easily dry out. In fact, when the rain stops, in less than a month the whole place is dried out,” he said.
However, he assured that the current government has begun taking steps to improve irrigation infrastructure, including the provision of mechanised boreholes in farming communities. This, he said, is aimed at enabling year-round farming and strengthening food security.