A major boost to agricultural resilience and food security is on the horizon for Ghana’s Upper East Region as the World Bank commits $125 million to rehabilitate the Vea Left Bank canal system.
The ambitious project, part of the West Africa Food Systems Resilience Programme, aims to unlock the full farming potential of key communities such as Zaare, Nyariga, and Sumburungu by enabling year-round irrigation and modern farming techniques.
For many farmers reliant on the Vea Dam scheme, the intervention offers hope for overcoming longstanding challenges related to water access and climate variability. The planned upgrades include clearing and extending canals, constructing new lateral links to individual farms, and introducing innovative irrigation technologies such as automation and California-style systems.
Dominic Anarigide, Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), described the project as a “game-changer” that could revitalize roughly 850 hectares of farmland while enhancing infrastructure like farm access roads.
Dr. Ashwini Sebastian, Agriculture Portfolio Manager for the World Bank in Ghana, highlighted that the initiative goes beyond infrastructure by providing farmers with quality seeds, training, and climate-smart practices—ensuring that productivity gains are both sustainable and scalable.
Local leadership has also welcomed the project as critical to the region’s socio-economic progress. Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Atanga pointed to the success of persistent advocacy that brought the region into the national dam rehabilitation agenda and urged community ownership to protect the project’s gains.
However, some farmers remain cautiously optimistic, mindful of delays experienced in the rehabilitation of the Vea Right Bank canal due to funding issues. The World Bank-backed Left Bank project is viewed as a fresh opportunity to avoid such setbacks.
Pending parliamentary approval, construction is expected to begin by late 2025 and be completed within 12 to 18 months. If successfully executed, the project promises to dramatically increase agricultural output, boost resilience against climate shocks, and spur broader economic development in northern Ghana—marking a pivotal step toward national food security and rural prosperity.
