Rotarians and WACWISA-UDS Commission Irrigation Facilities in Upper East Region of Ghana

With funding from East Lansing Rotary Club, MI, USA and Rotary International, Paga-Nakolo and Paga-Sakaa in the Kassena Nankana West District have benefited from two irrigation facilities under the implementation of the West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture of the University for Development Studies (WACWISA-UDS).

Commissioning the Project in the communities on 24th November 2023, the Project Lead at WACWISA-UDS, Dr. Clement K. Kubuga revealed the need to make agriculture research and innovations relevant to the needs and aspirations of communities. According to him, “in an earlier quasi experimental study involving only two communities, we explored innovative and unconventional food production systems during the prolonged dry season to produce micro-nutrient rich foods. The identification and introduction of the solar powered irrigation systems for integrated farming in addressing food and nutrition security in these communities was based on the earlier pilot research findings and relevance to communities”.

Speaking on behalf of Prof. Felix K. Abagale, Director of WACWISA-UDS, Dr. Sylvester N. Ayambila revealed that the project was timely, especially during this crucial time of climate change and communities’ resilience. He indicated that this project and previous activities with other donors in research and technical training on Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) targeting technicians, financial institutions and other actors aimed at making beneficial use of the solar radiation through the installation of Solar Powered Irrigation Systems which are very relevant to communities in Northern Ghana. Dr. Ayambila noted that, the cooperation and the implementation of this intervention falls in line with the Centre’s commitment towards “Building Capacity for Sustainable Solutions”. Sustainable agriculture and reliable production systems were noted to be co-players which are very important in reducing the effects of climate change on food production and food systems.

The President of Tamale Rotary Club, Ms. Arabe Mary, representing Rotary International indicated that the Club was very excited to be associated with the project and to play a coordinating role for the funding of the projects in the communities. She indicated that Rotary Club is committed to contributing towards development and wellbeing of communities and individuals. She expressed her hope that the communities will maintain, use and add value to the facility.