The University for Development Studies’ West African Centre for Water Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (UDS-WACWISA) in collaboration with GIZ-Green People’s Energy Project has organized a 3-day capacity development and curriculum training in solar powered irrigation systems for Community and Rural Banks in the Northern Region of Ghana at the GUSSS-conference Centre in Tamale.

The project forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UDS-WACWISA and GIZ-Green People’s Energy, on capacity development and curriculum training in Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) in Northern Ghana. The project is being implemented in the five (5) regions of the north of Ghana namely; Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West regions.

The Green People’s Energy Project (GPE) has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Ministry of Energy of Ghana jointly implementing the project.

The main objective of the project is to improve the conditions for supplying rural regions in selected African countries, including Ghana, with decentralized renewable energy. The project offers citizens in sub-Saharan Africa innovative technical and financial support to use solar energy in rural areas to improve their livelihoods and household incomes. Green People’s Energy project promotes the use of solar technologies in agriculture and for the electrification of social institutions in rural areas.

In attendance at the training workshop were credit officers from rural banks and micro finance companies and institutions. Some of the Community and Rural Banks that were present included; ADB Bank, Advance Ghana Savings and Loans, Okomfo Anokye Rural Bank Ltd, Multi Credit Savings and Loans Ltd, Bonzali Rural Bank Limited, Builsa Community Bank Ltd, Tizaa Rural Bank Ltd, Sonzele Rural Bank Ltd, UDS-Credit Union, Bangmarigu Community Bank, and Sinapi Aba Company Ltd.

On the first day of the 3-day event, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of UDS Ing. Prof. Felix K. Abagale, who is also the Director of WACWISA was represented by Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Shaibu, who delivered the welcome address to participants and the facilitators. He said the Finance Training Workshop for Finance Officers in particular, was organized to enable them to understand the concept of the Solar Power Irrigation System in order for them to be able to support small holder farmers with loans to acquire the SPIS for vegetables and other crop production.

He added that the cost of acquiring the equipment for the complete system is subsidized at 40% and 50% for male and female farmers respectively, and this was the reason for the banks to enhance their knowledge and skills on associated risks and finance mechanisms for the solar irrigation systems.

The advisory consultant to the project from the Netherlands, Judith de Bruijne, indicated that the solar pump has been designed as a solution to the cost and other problems associated with fuel and electric pumps. She added that most small farmers will benefit from this technology.

On the third and final day of the event, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Ing. Prof. Felix K. Abagale, assured the banks of WACWISA’s commitment to continue to collaborate with them in the future. He encouraged them to take advantage of opportunity presented by the training, to grow their businesses. He emphasised that when businesses grow, the rippling effects on the broader economy will be positive especially, with the SPIS model. Prof. Abagale added that there are several opportunities in the value chain of food production, which institutions like banks must take advantage of.

While presenting certificates to the participants, Prof. Abagale, expressed his gratitude to the research coordinator of WACWISA and GIZ, Dr. Sylvester Ayambila, the Accountant, Mr. Iddrisu Muftawu and resource persons from ADB, Ecobank and Mr. Eric Awine Ayamga, a consultant from MDF West Africa for their unflinching support in making sure that the curriculum was well designed and delivered to the participants.