90% of dams under 1V1D can't be used for irrigation purposes - Study shows
The failure of the project has been attributed to absence of proper consultation in the planning phase
Jonas Danquah 
About 90% of dams being built by the Akufo-Addo government under its One Village One Dam (1V1D) initiative, has been described as unfit for irrigation purposes, a study conducted by Peasant Farmers Association has revealed.
According to the study, there was poor consultation with primary stakeholders such as District Assemblies in the build up to the exercise in the Upper East Region particularly, resulting in challenges faced.
It noted that, the District Assemblies could not properly supervise the project, since they were not involved.
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana with support from OXFAM commissioned the research to examine the implementation of the 1V1D in Upper East Region.
The research which was led by Professor Joseph Yaro of the Department of Geography of the University of Ghana established that so far 83 out of the 140 dams promised by the government had been completed representing 59%.
Prof. Yaro said about 90% of these dams in the Upper East Region can't be used for irrigation purposes.
“Most of these (1V1D) dams can be classified basically as domestic or livestock dams in terms of use. So irrigation really, is out of the question for probably 90 percent of these dams. It is not possible for irrigation”, he said.
"It will be much more useful in the future if we aggregated the farms and built dams in places where they are possible. Most of these dams built here can be classified as domestic use or livestock dams but not for farming so irrigation is out of the question". he added
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had earlier disclosed intentions to prosecute the Minister of Special Development Initiatives, Mavis Hawa Koomson, for causing financial loss to the state when they come to power, in regards to the 1V1D initiative.
READ ALSO:
1V1D: "NDC seeking to score cheap political points" – Ministry replies Sammy Gyamfi
According to the NDC, Hawa Koomson’s abysmal performance in regards to the one village-one dam (1V1D) programme has wasted tax payers’ money.
The Communication Director of the NDC, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, sounded this warning at a press conference organised at one of the dried-up dams at Nakpachie in the Northern Region.
The Akufo-Addo Government is constructing 300 dugouts across the northern part of the country; out of a total of 570 dams promised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the run-up to the 2016 general election.
Out of the number, 174 dams are currently under construction in the Northern Region, whilst 83 and 43 are being constructed in the Upper East and Upper West regions respectfully.
The dams, which are at various stages of completion, are expected to provide enough water for farmers to ensure all year farming, as well as for domestic purposes.
