The newly appointed Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), Dominic Anarigde, has unveiled an ambitious long-term plan to transform the company into a model state enterprise and a driver of agricultural growth in northern Ghana.
Speaking on Tingmaalgo Sanga on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Mr. Anarigde said ICOUR is committed to providing reliable year-round irrigation services for more than 20 farming communities that depend on its schemes.
“Together with my colleagues, we are determined to make ICOUR not just the best irrigation company, but one of the best state enterprises in Ghana—delivering adequate water to farmers for all-year farming,” he stated.
Mr. Anarigde stressed that his vision goes beyond irrigation, noting the need for guaranteed markets and value addition for farmers’ produce.
“It is not enough for farmers to harvest; they must also earn good money from their work. We want to see a future where rice harvested here in the Upper East is processed locally into finished products for both local and international markets. The same should apply to tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables,” he explained.
According to him, establishing processing factories in the region will end the practice of transporting raw produce to Accra, boost local economies, and create jobs.
“When we put up factories to process our crops, we change the narrative about our region and the country as a whole. This is how we can truly make farmers happy and secure livelihoods,” he added.
Mr. Anarigde, however, acknowledged that the vision cannot be realized by ICOUR alone.
“I cannot do this alone. I need the commitment of our staff, the support of stakeholders, the collaboration of the general public, and the partnership of the media to achieve these goals,” he appealed.
The ICOUR boss said his leadership will focus on strengthening stakeholder relations, maintaining irrigation infrastructure, and delivering technical support to farmers.
Source: A1radioonline.com | Seidu Mutawakil Azangbeogo | Bolgatanga
