World Bank irrigation project abandoned at Kpando-Torkor….as farmers demand explanation
A GH¢687,302.50 World Bank irrigation project for Kpando-Torkor in the Volta Region has been abandoned. The situation has dampened the spirits of the local inhabitants who want to go into agriculture.
The project, which was an intervention by the government, under the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, was aimed at reducing poverty through improved all-year farming practices.
Seventy hectares of land were acquired after a feasibility study conducted by agricultural experts, but only 5.2 of the total area of land earmarked is being cultivated.
The Chairman of the Kpando-Torkor Co-operative Farmers Association, Mr. Solo Akwensivie, who made this known to the media at Kpando-Torkor, expressed disappointment about the inability of the irrigation authorities to explain to the stakeholders why the project which started in 2005 with a colossal amount of money, and expected to be completed in 2006, had been abandoned.
According to Mr. Akwensivie, it was documented by the authorities that the irrigation project had duly been completed, but a lot still remained to be done.
He hinted that the laying of underground pipelines, building of offices and stores as well, had not been done. Access roads to the project site were also poorly executed.
He said the technical officers detailed to construct the pumping machine houses, ignored the farmers' advise, in relation to the siting of the pump, and went ahead to construct them, which have now been submerged in water.
Mr. Akwensivie alleged the farmers after realising that the project could not be completed within the stipulated period, reminded the authorities to speed up, but they did not get a favourable response.
He said as a result of the disappointment in the project, one hundred and eight farmers were currently making use of thirteen acres of farmland with the support of a thirty-one year old pumping machine, which they had abandoned with the hope of enjoying modern pumping machines.
Mr. Akwensivie therefore appealed to the government and sponsors of the project to investigate circumstances leading to the inability of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority to complete the project.
The Project Manager of the Kpando-Torkor Irrigation Project, Mr. Samuel Ebili, expressed similar sentiments, and said the farmers were trained under the Millennium Challenge Account in improved agriculture practices that would promote farming on a commercial basis, and that the stalling of the project would not help them put such knowledge into effective use.
He said the Kpando-Torkor Irrigation Project was among three irrigation projects in the Volta Region, and mentioned Aveyime and Afife as the two.