President Mahama joins Abiy Ahmed to inaugurate Ethiopia’s 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, an infrastructure project expected to boost agricultural production, strengthen food security and improve access to potable water in the region.
The project, which includes a dam and reservoir with a storage capacity of 185 million cubic metres, is designed to support irrigation across 17,000 hectares of agricultural land while providing a reliable water supply to Gondar and surrounding satellite towns.
President Mahama arrived in the historic Ethiopian city on Friday for an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, ahead of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa.
Shortly after his arrival at Gondar Airport, the President joined the Ethiopian Prime Minister to inaugurate the project, which is expected to strengthen agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods in the region.
The project spans 870 hectares and is expected to expand access to irrigation, reduce dependence on rainfall and support more reliable agricultural production.
Construction began 18 years ago but stalled before Prime Minister Abiy revived the project three years ago and oversaw its completion.
President Mahama commended the Government and people of Ethiopia for their resilience and commitment to completing the infrastructure, describing it as an investment that would benefit generations to come.
The project is expected to contribute to Ethiopia’s agricultural development by increasing the availability of water for farming while improving access to clean drinking water for communities in and around Gondar.
Its irrigation capacity is also expected to support increased food production, strengthen local food security and create opportunities for agricultural growth.
President Mahama’s visit forms part of his engagement with Ethiopia ahead of the Tana High-Level Forum, a major African platform for discussions on peace, governance and security.
On Saturday, he is expected to travel to Bahir Dar to chair the 12th edition of the forum, which will bring together African leaders, policymakers and security experts to examine pressing challenges facing the continent.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
