President Mahama Joins Ethiopian PM to Commission Megech Irrigation Project

President John Dramani Mahama has joined Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali to inaugurate the Megech Irrigation Development Project in Gondar, Ethiopia, during an official visit to the country.

President Mahama arrived in the historic city of Gondar on Friday at the invitation of the Ethiopian Prime Minister, ahead of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, scheduled to take place in Bahir Dar. Shortly after his arrival at Gondar Airport, the Ghanaian leader joined Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali to switch on the irrigation project, which is expected to improve agricultural production and water supply in the region.

The project, which began 18 years ago, experienced delays before being revived by the Ethiopian Prime Minister three years ago and subsequently completed. The Megech Dam covers 870 hectares and has a storage capacity of 185 million cubic metres of water. It is expected to provide irrigation for approximately 17,000 hectares of agricultural land, helping to improve food production, boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.

Beyond agriculture, the facility will also provide a reliable supply of clean drinking water to Gondar and surrounding satellite towns. President Mahama commended the Government and people of Ethiopia for their resilience and commitment to completing the project, noting its potential to deliver lasting socio-economic benefits for present and future generations.

On Saturday, President Mahama is expected to travel to Bahir Dar to chair the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa. The forum will bring together African leaders, policymakers and security experts to deliberate on key peace, governance and security challenges confronting the continent.