Ahead of the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections, the then main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a promise to construct dams in every village in the three Northern Regions as a way of supporting farming in these communities all year round.

Speaking at the annual “Paarigbielle” festival of the chiefs and people of the Tumu Traditional Area in the Upper West Region, on Saturday, 17 March 2018, Dr Bawumia said: “Along with the Government policy of Planting for Food and Jobs we have also initiated the policy of One Village One Dam and I am glad to note that this policy is taking off this year, and for the three Northern regions this year, we expect the construction of a total of 570 dams.

“We expect to cut the sod for the commencement of this policy within a few weeks and in Sissala East, you'll be getting 10 dams this year. In Sissala West you'll get 10 dams this year by the Grace of God.”

He added: “I'm aware of the contribution of farmers in the Tumu Traditional Area to the production of cotton and the textile industry in Ghana, especially the establishment of the Cotton Ginnery at Tumu.

“I am informed that the machines at the ginnery can be made to work again even after being idle for quite some time.”

Dr Bawumia further stated that: “Government is in contact with prospective investors, some of whom have expressed interest in the Tumu Ginnery and we certainly would facilitate the revamping of the Tumu Ginnery as one of the projects in line with our One District, One Factory policy.”