President Mahama in Ethiopia for historic inauguration of Megech Irrigation Project

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

A statement issued by Ghana’s Presidency said the visit comes ahead of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, to be held in Bahir Dar.

It said shortly after arriving at Gondar Airport, President Mahama joined the Prime Minister to switch on the Megech Irrigation Development Project, a massive dam-and-reservoir infrastructure designed to transform agriculture and water supply in the region.

The statement said the ambitious project, which began 18 years ago, stalled until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali revived it three years ago and completed it.

Spanning 870 hectares with a storage capacity of 185 million cubic metres, the Megech Dam is set to have a profound socio-economic impact.

It would support irrigation of 17,000 hectares of agricultural land, significantly bolstering food security and productivity.

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

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 statement said President Mahama would travel to Bahir Dar on Saturday, October 24, to chair the 12th Tana High-Level Forum, where African leaders, policymakers, and security experts would discuss pressing peace, governance, and security challenges across the continent.

GNA