By Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, April 22, 2026 — The Global Evangelical Church (GEC) has appealed to the government to invest in irrigation systems along the Volta Lake to support all-year-round farming and strengthen food security.
The appeal which was contained in a report issued by the Tema Presbytery of the Church at its 2026 Presbytery Delegates Conference, emphasised the need for strategic interventions in agriculture to reduce seasonal farming constraints.
Speaking at the conference held for Church leaders within the Presbytery, Rev. Jedidiah Azumah, the Tema Presbytery Chairman, noted that the absence of reliable irrigation systems had limited farmers’ ability to produce crops consistently, particularly tomatoes, which were in high demand across the country.
He said the development of irrigation infrastructure along the Volta Lake would enable farmers, especially those along the Volta Lake to engage in continuous cultivation and increase yields for the country.
According to him, the initiative would not only boost local production but also create employment opportunities for the youth and improve livelihoods within the various farming communities.
“The initiative when implemented would not only boost local production of tomatoes and other vegetables, but reduce the country’s dependence on imports,” he said.
Citing the recent attacks on tomato traders in Burkina Faso which led to the death of some, Rev. Azumah said the appeal was also aimed at minimizing the risks faced by traders who traveled long distances to source the commodity from neighbouring countries, including Burkina Faso.
Rev. Azumah who urged the government to prioritise the project as part of broader efforts to modernise agriculture and ensure sustainable food systems in the country.
He stressed that improving irrigation would help stabilise prices of agricultural produce and contribute to national economic growth.
GNA
22 April 2026
Nii Martey M. Botchway
[email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong