The Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), Dominic Anarigide, has raised alarm over the severe deterioration of the Vea Dam, one of the Upper East Region’s critical irrigation facilities.
Speaking with Asaase News, Anarigide disclosed a number of worrying developments at the Vea site.
He shared these concerns when he spoke about the organisation’s plans to rehabilitate the dam and redeem ICOUR’s battered public image after months of controversy and administrative mismanagement.
“Vea is virtually collapsed,” Anarigide said. “People have encroached on the lands, parts of the scheme have been sold, and sand mining is taking place dangerously close to the dam’s core.”
He described incidents where community members were caught extracting sand just 200–300 metres from the dam, forcing him to confiscate pickaxes and shovels. “If the dam fails to hold water, ICOUR has no mandate—our pride is the water,” he stressed.
A Troubled Legacy
ICOUR was originally established in 1983 as a limited liability company with a mission to implement a poverty alleviation project. It was designed to support farmers by providing access to irrigation water and guidance on improved agronomic practices. However, years of internal disputes, poor leadership, and a lack of investment caused significant dysfunction.
The most recent crisis culminated in a court battle that paralysed the leadership transition. “There was no cohesion, no unity, and the case even delayed my takeover as MD,” Anarigide explained. He noted that the case, though still ongoing in some aspects, was recently ruled in ICOUR’s favour, finally allowing his administration to begin executing its vision.
A Shift in Mandate
In its early years, ICOUR employed around 200 staff and handled a wide range of agricultural services, including mechanised support with tractors and harvesters. Today, its mandate has narrowed significantly.
“Now our focus is on delivering water and maintaining irrigation infrastructure,” Anarigide explained, citing restructuring under projects like the Ghana Commissioning Culture Project (GICAP).
The company’s current operational scope includes the Tono and Vea dams, covering four districts: Bongo, Bolgatanga Municipal, Kassena-Nankana Municipal, and Builsa North. More than 20 communities depend on ICOUR’s schemes for year-round farming activities, he said.
Despite the reduced scope, ICOUR has continued to provide technical guidance to farmers on land preparation, seed selection, fertiliser application, and harvesting. The organisation, also through Water Users Associations (WUAs) and village committees, reaches farmers directly, offering support to help them farm both during the rainy and dry seasons.
Vea Dam Rehabilitation Efforts
ICOUR is working closely with the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) to bring the Vea Dam back to life.
“Rehabilitation has begun on the right bank,” he confirmed. A new main canal is being constructed, and plans are underway to rehabilitate the left bank early next year, pending additional funding.
Anarigide praised GIDA for its technical partnership and leadership in the ongoing rehabilitation work. “We manage the water, but they have the expertise for infrastructure development,” he noted.
Redemption
To recover from its turbulent past, ICOUR’s leadership is focused on rebuilding trust and re-establishing credibility. Internally, staff motivation and welfare are key priorities.
“You can’t implement any vision without your human resources. They are your greatest asset,” he emphasised.
However, resource constraints remain a challenge. Without its own tractors and farming equipment, ICOUR can no longer synchronise water delivery with farm readiness, a situation that undermines efficient irrigation.
“If farmers don’t prepare their land at the same time, we can’t serve them water efficiently,” Anarigide lamented.
Reporting in the Upper East Region by Mark Smith
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