Traditional leaders in the Biakoye and Pai Katanga areas of the Krachi East Municipality in the Oti Region have been urged to resolve all land disputes that could delay the government’s Irrigation for Wealth Creation project.
The Deputy Director of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), Prosper Glitse, made the appeal during a site inspection for the project.
He stressed the need for collaboration between chiefs and landowners to ensure the smooth execution of the initiative, which aims to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
The Irrigation for Wealth Creation project, introduced by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), forms part of the government’s strategy to mitigate the impact of climate change and unpredictable rainfall on farming activities.
However, unresolved land disputes pose a major risk to its implementation.
During a visit to one of the proposed sites at Pai Katanga, Prosper Glitse warned that any delays in resolving land ownership issues could negatively affect the livelihoods of farmers who rely on irrigation for consistent crop production.
He called on traditional authorities to mediate conflicts and foster unity among stakeholders to prevent setbacks.
The chiefs acknowledged the significance of the project and pledged to facilitate dialogue among conflicting parties to ensure a peaceful resolution of disputes.
They affirmed their commitment to creating a conducive environment for the initiative, which is expected to transform agriculture in the region.
Meanwhile, the Oti Regional Director of Agriculture, O’Brien Nyarko, has encouraged the youth to embrace irrigation farming as a means of wealth creation.
Speaking after a community engagement and land inspection at the Biafra community of Pai Katanga, he noted that with over 10,000 hectares of land available for irrigation, young farmers have a great opportunity to increase their yields and secure sustainable livelihoods through modern farming techniques.