Addis Ababa, October 23, 2026 (FMC) — Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has described Ethiopia’s Megech Irrigation Dam as an inspiration for Africa’s development, saying the project has strengthened his determination to revive Ghana’s abandoned Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and Irrigation Project.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Gondar, Mahama praised Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for advancing the project after years of delay, emphasizing the responsibility of Africa’s current leaders to translate the continent’s potential into economic transformation and prosperity for their people.
Mahama said Ghana had a similar dam project that had been abandoned and that witnessing Megech’s completion had inspired him to return home and restart the initiative.
The Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and Irrigation Project combines irrigation with hybrid solar and hydropower generation. Mahama said it was designed to produce slightly more than 100 megawatts of electricity and irrigate approximately 25,000 hectares of land, contributing to Ghana’s food security.
He said the experience of Ethiopia’s Megech project had reinforced his resolve to reignite the initiative, expressing confidence in its potential to help secure food supplies for his country.
Reflecting on Megech’s long history, Mahama said the project began in 1998, when he was a young deputy minister at the start of his political career. He noted that it had been reignited about three years ago under Abiy’s leadership and welcomed the opportunity to witness water being released for irrigation and drinking supplies to Gondar.
The Ghanaian President also highlighted the historical significance of Ethiopia and Ghana in Africa’s struggle against colonial domination. He described Ethiopia as a symbol of African resistance and recalled Ghana’s place as the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to break free from colonial rule.
Mahama said Gondar had long been familiar to him through history books and the name of Gondar Barracks at Ghana’s main military camp. He recalled that the barracks became the headquarters of the December 31 Revolution during Ghana’s revolutionary period, adding that visiting the ancient Ethiopian city had been a longstanding personal wish.
Turning to Africa’s future, Mahama said earlier generations of leaders had fought colonial domination and worked to liberate the continent. The task facing today’s leaders, he stressed, is to deliver economic transformation and prosperity to African people.
“These are the transformational leaders we need in Africa,” Mahama said, praising Abiy’s development efforts. He added that Ethiopia had continued to change from year to year during his visits since Abiy became Prime Minister.
Mahama also welcomed the prospect of further tourism development in Gondar, saying he looked forward to returning for a holiday once the proposed resort discussed at the ceremony had been completed.
His remarks linked the inauguration of Megech to a wider continental challenge: turning development plans into completed projects that improve people’s lives. For Mahama, the dam was not only a milestone for Ethiopia but also an impetus to renew efforts on a comparable project in Ghana.