Ghana has taken a significant step towards sustainable energy and food security with the groundbreaking ceremony for a one megawatt integrated solar project at the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme at Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region.

The project is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Korean government  under the Ghana Water-Energy-Food Nexus Programme  to boost agricultural productivity, improve livelihoods and strengthen climate resilience.

Speaking at the event last Friday at Dawhenya, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, said the project, expected to be completed by December 2026, would deploy solar energy to support agriculture and provide reliable electricity.

He added that it would also enhance food security by supporting irrigation systems and farming activities, while utilising Ghana's water resources to promote sustainable agriculture.

Government's commitment

Mr Jinapor said the project demonstrated Ghana's commitment to sustainable and inclusive solutions, with partnerships between the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Agriculture and the Korean government.

He disclosed that under the Energy Sector Transformation Initiative, his ministry and the the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority would revamp the national irrigation schemes, adding that feasibility studies and design would be concluded in the second half of 2026, followed by construction.

He said over 400 solar water pumps would also be deployed and scaled up to 3,500 by 2028 to irrigate nearly 400,000 hectares and support all-year-round agricultural production.

"With this flagship initiative, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition will provide the energy as a catalyst, and MOFA and GIDA will lead to realise this flagship initiative under the John Mahama-led government," he said.

He disclosed that the government had also launched the Renewable Energy Fund to promote renewable energy consumption and had selected three regions for pilot projects to mount big solar pumps for all year-round farming. 

K. Rice Belt Initiative

The second Secretary at the Korean Embassy, Kim Hyun Joo, said the project was closely linked with the K. Rice Belt Initiative led by Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The initiative, she said, was aimed at increasing rice production, through the use of  high-yielding crop varieties, strengthening irrigation, providing practical farming technologies and improving food security and livelihoods for farmers in Ghana and beyond.

"This project shows us that when clean energy and agriculture come together, the benefits go beyond technology — they touch the lives of families, improve food security and strengthen the bonds between our two nations,"she said.

Food security

The Vice Chairman of the Korea Association of  Machinery Industry, Yoon Kap Seok, said the  project encompassed agricultural infrastructure, technical support and energy self-sufficiency.

He explained that the solar power site would enhance electricity access for farmers, driving agricultural productivity and food security.

Mr Seok said the  project was  expected to create opportunities for future energy cooperation between Ghana and Korea.