Upper East Regional Minister designate, Albert Abongo believes building dams and creating other water bodies will help solve the perennial problem of farms worth millions of cedis been destroyed as a result of the spillage of the Bagre Dam.
The Regional Minister noted that over the years, the water spilled from the dam goes waste although it could be used for fruitful ventures such as irrigation during the dry season.
He mentioned that the water could be put in good use if more water bodies are built in order to divert the water been spilled and also build irrigational projects which will be used by the farmers during the dry season.
“I have been thinking about creating more water bodies. The dams flood and the water washes down the stream. It is possible to create diversions and construct dams at the site to create small irrigations so that farmers can use it during the dry season.”
Hon. Albert Abongo promised to alleviate poverty by improving agriculture and education in the region.
According to the Minister designate, the region is embedded in high rate of poverty mostly because the mainstay of the region, agriculture, depends solely on an unpredictable rainfall patterns that dictates the pace of agriculture in the region.
He indicated that tackling this age old problem of poverty will only be possible by assisting farmers in the region rather than them solely depending on the rains before planting their crops.
“We have a very short rainy season so one will have to look at how we will enhance farming to improve upon the living conditions of the people. So, one will see to things that will help improve the living conditions of the farmers.”
On education, the Minister designate noted that poverty has over the years encouraged rural-urban migration among the youth who are of school-going age who move to Southern Ghana to perform some menial jobs and do not return to the region afterwards.
He mentioned that he intends to collaborate with District Assemblies to strengthen government initiatives such as the school feeding program, school uniform programs in order to keep the youth in school adding that other innovative ideas will be introduced.
“We need to keep the children in school. Basic things like the free uniforms program and school feeding program need to be strengthened to ensure we keep our children in school because the exodus to urban centres has been a major problem for the leadership of the Region.”
By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
