By Peter Agengre
The Upper East Regional Communicator of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Johnson Ayine, has said that former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia should not be blamed for delays in the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam Project.
The Pwalugu Dam is a major national infrastructure initiative designed to provide irrigation, hydroelectric power, and water supply, supporting farming and regional development in northern Ghana.
According to Mr. Ayine, the project involves multiple state institutions, international contractors, and external financing arrangements, making it unfair to single out Dr. Bawumia for its challenges.
He said the execution of large-scale projects depends on the availability of funds approved through established government processes and stressed that financial constraints affect multiple sectors of the economy.
“The Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam Project was so dear to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia when he was vice president. But the issue had to do with financing. If the Russia-Ukraine war affected the economic progress of Ghana, you don’t expect the Vice President to use his own money to execute the project. Does he have such an amount of money?” Mr. Ayine explained.
Speaking in an interview with GBC News in Bolgatanga, Mr. Ayine noted that unforeseen difficulties, such as the global Russia-Ukraine war, also slowed the progress. He added that these challenges were beyond the control of any single government official.
Mr. Ayine further emphasised that Dr. Bawumia has consistently demonstrated commitment to the development of the Upper East Region, citing investments in roads, healthcare, education, and digitalization initiatives under the previous administration.
He urged critics to assess the Pwalugu project within the broader context of national development planning rather than politicizing it.
