President Mahama arrives in Ethiopia, Joins PM Abiy to commission Megech Irrigation Project

President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in the historic city of Gondar, Ethiopia, for an official visit at the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali.

The visit, which underscores the deepening ties between Ghana and Ethiopia, comes ahead of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, scheduled to be held in Bahir Dar.

Shortly after touching down at the Gondar Airport on Friday, October 23, 2026, President Mahama joined Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to officially commission the Megech Irrigation Development Project, a massive dam and reservoir infrastructure designed to transform agriculture and water supply in the region.

The project, which commenced 18 years ago, had stalled for years until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed revived it three years ago to ensure its completion.

Spanning 870 hectares with a storage capacity of 185 million cubic metres, the Megech Dam is expected to have a profound socio-economic impact on the region. It will support the irrigation of 17,000 hectares of agricultural land, significantly bolstering food security and productivity.

In addition to its agricultural benefits, the facility will provide a reliable supply of clean, potable water to the city of Gondar and its surrounding satellite towns.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama commended the Government and people of Ethiopia for their resilience and dedication in delivering a transformative project that will serve generations to come.

The President is expected to travel to Bahir Dar on Saturday, October 24, 2026, to chair the 12th Tana High-Level Forum.

The forum will convene African leaders, policymakers and security experts to discuss pressing peace, governance and security challenges across the continent.