By: Kekeli K. Blamey
The World Bank’s Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Robert Taliercio O’Brien, has praised the resilience of farmers affected by this year’s drought in northern Ghana. During a tour of the Upper Region to inspect project sites under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), O’Brien encouraged farmers to stay focused and not give up ¹.
He commended the farmers’ determination and resolve, stating that the World Bank stands with them during these challenging times and is committed to supporting Ghana and the sub-region in building robust value chain systems. O’Brien also highlighted the success of World Bank-funded irrigation sites, which enabled communities to engage in dry-season farming despite the drought.
The World Bank, in collaboration with the Ghanaian government, has invested significantly in rehabilitating notable irrigation systems, including the Tono Irrigation Scheme, under the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP). The FSRP project aims to enhance food system resilience against climate-driven agricultural crises.
Key Initiatives:
- Completing the Vea Irrigation Scheme (VIS)
- Further interventions in the Tono Irrigation Scheme (TIS)
- Supplying input credit to farmers
- On-farm demonstrations of climate-smart agricultural technologies
- Adaptive trials for locally released tomato seeds
- Logistical support for Agric Extension Agents
O’Brien assured farmers that the World Bank will provide ongoing support beyond funding, ensuring credible food security. Additionally, the FSRP will sponsor a new national irrigation policy to redefine Ghana’s irrigation frontiers.
Would you like more information on the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme or the World Bank’s initiatives in Ghana?
