Ghana is set to introduce solar-powered irrigation pumps to boost year-round farming and cut reliance on rain-fed agriculture.
Energy and Green Transition Minister, John Jinapor, announced the initiative at the International Solar Alliance (ISA) regional committee meeting in Accra, stressing it will help farmers remain productive even in the dry season.
The minister revealed Ghana has signed agreements with India to replicate its successful solar pump model, allowing farmers to sustain food production across all seasons.
“I have had very good fruitful discussions with the Director General [of the International Solar Alliance], and immediately, what we want to set forth is to work to deploy solar irrigation pumps across the country.
“For some part of the country, for close to like six months during the dry season, because our farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture, they virtually have nothing to do.”
“India has pioneered it and we want to learn from them. They have agreed that they will work and collaborate with us so that we can install these solar pumps. By installing these solar pumps, what will happen is Ghanaians will be able to engage in productive all year round farming. We have signed some MoUs,” he said.
Backing the effort, ISA Director-General Ashish Khanna unveiled a new $200 million Africa Solar Facility, with \$75 million to be released before the end of 2025.
The fund is expected to attract over $800 million in private renewable energy investment, starting in Nigeria.
The Africa Solar Facility aims to de-risk solar projects, mobilize local finance, and strengthen public-private partnerships to accelerate renewable energy deployment across the continent.
