REAPING THE BENEFITS OF SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION DAMS IN NORTH-WESTERN GHANA: EXPERIENCES FROM THREE DISTRICTS IN THE UPPER WEST REGION

Abstract

The Government of Ghana since independence has undertaken the construction of a considerable number of small-scale dams in the Upper West Region to increase water accessibility for small-scale irrigation. The aim is to promote all year round cropping, increase income and eventually improve standard of living of the populations in the dam communities. This study which was conducted in north-western part of Ghana sought to investigate whether the provision of these small-scale irrigation facilities in three of the districts of the Upper West Region have succeeded in reducing the incidence of poverty and youth out-migration in the area. Using both qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection, the study showed that there have been some positive effects of these small-scale irrigation dams which include a steady increase in household food production, household income and the reduction in youth out-migration from dam communities. The study concludes that the construction of small-scale irrigation dams should be intensified to cover all areas in northern Ghana that have low lands for potential irrigation development. When this is done, it will be one of the surest tools to reduce poverty and stern the tide of rural out-migration of the youth from the northern Ghana to destinations south of the country.