Community gardeners in Gbache in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region have appealed to the government and development partners for urgent support to complete a stalled irrigation canal project that serves as a critical lifeline for local farmers.
They appealed during an interview with Channel One TV at the project site, explaining that the canal was initially earmarked under a government-supported initiative to replace an old, deteriorated structure and improve irrigation for community gardens.
However, the project was halted midway following a transition in government, leaving the canal incomplete and threatening dry-season farming activities.
The Assembly Member for the Gbache Electoral Area, Ayela Yelisung, said, “We are urging that the government should also support and also look at the project again, and let the contractor resume work to make sure the project they started, it will finish and benefit the people.
“We also realised that when you look at the dump, the people there benefit from the dump, actually, there are many, looking at about 2,000 people, not only the community members, because all these vegetables we sell, other things, other people also buy on a commercial basis to also sell and make their daily income. And so, this is the only source of income we have for the community at this season”.
According to Yelisung, the incomplete canal has significantly affected vegetable production, including okra, beans leaves, and other leafy vegetables that sustain households and traders who depend on the community for produce.
The water source serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, livestock watering, construction use, fishing, and domestic needs. In addition to vegetable farming, the community previously benefited from a fish pond that has since been abandoned.
Residents are therefore calling on government, organisations, and individuals to support the completion of the canal and the revival of the fish pond to enhance livelihoods and generate sustainable income.
One of the farmers, Asuma Domabalee “Gardening is our primary source of livelihood. Previously, the income from our gardens enabled us to support our families, especially by paying our children’s school fees. Due to the water challenges, we have resorted to digging individual ponds for irrigation, which is laborious and unsustainable.”
For vulnerable groups, the impact has been particularly severe. Tanuo Tenee, a widow, explained that gardening has been her only means of caring for her children since her husband’s death.
“Although my husband has passed on, gardening has enabled me to care for my children. Currently, there is no reliable source of water for my garden. Each time I search for water, I experience chest pains due to the physical strain. I appeal to the government to intervene and support us, as this livelihood is essential to our survival,” Tanuo Tenee said.
Tiebu Yaa also emphasised that gardening is her main source of income, but described the inadequate water supply as stressful and threatening her ability to survive.
“This garden is my main source of income. However, the lack of adequate water has made farming extremely difficult and stressful,” Tiebu Yaa indicated
