The president of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with H.E Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday November 29 cut sod for the construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam.
Setting the records straight; This particular Multipurpose Dam was one of the priority projects of H.E John Dramani Mahama with that of the planned Oti multipurpose dam between Ghana-Togo boarder.
The Pwalugu multipurpose dam and that of the dam along the Oti river were to be funded by World Bank/Africa Dev’t Bank and Brazilian gov’t respectively. The Pwalugu multipurpose dam was aimed at controlling flood, for agricultural purpose and also to generate 20-30 megawatt power for electricity in the Upper East Region. And while waiting for funding from World Bank and Africa Dev’t Bank for its construction, the NDC exited power in 2017.
In the case of the dam along the Oti river, the Brazilian gov’t and Ghana gov’t provided some fund for its execution. The dam if executed successfully could produce 50-60 megawatt power at a cost of $300 million. There was a change of plan to save cost when realized that a compensation of additional $100 million could be paid to Togo gov’t as result of possible spillage of water to Togo.
Ghana and Brazilian gov’t then agreed to use the fund on a different project located in the area within where the dam was to constructed so that the people over there could benefit. And with the approval of parliament with NPP parliamentarians, the money was channeled for the construction of the eastern corridor road (northern part).
Now, the river Oti multipurpose dam which was to produce 50-60 megawatt power far greater than 50 megawatt power from Pwalugu multipurpose dam was to cost the gov’t of Ghana $300 million far below the $993 million as the cost of the Pwalugu dam. Nana Addo and DMB then in opposition accused the JM led administration of over pricing projects executed. What has changed today? And if the planned multipurpose river Oti dam bigger than Pwalugu multipurpose dam with the same purpose was to cost Ghana gov’t $300 million quadruple the cost of Pwalugu dam of $993 million, What accounts for this huge difference?
This disgrace must stop. The create, loot and share must stop. Let’s join the rescue train to rescue Ghana our motherland from the cronies, family and friends gov’t.
…Signed…
Ali Wuni Abdul – Majeed
Communication Officer, Walewale
Contact: 0244671304
30th November, 2019