Mahama vows to hold those accountable for $12 million loss on unfinished Pwalugu dam project

John Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a stern warning that those responsible for the financial mismanagement of the Pwalugu Dam project will face accountability if he is elected as president.

During a media interaction in Bolgatanga on Wednesday, Mahama expressed his deep concern over the $12 million that has been spent on the project with no tangible results to show for it.

The Pwalugu multipurpose dam, which was intended to mitigate the frequent flooding in the Upper East Region, was a flagship project that the current government promised to complete by 2019. However, Mahama pointed out that despite the grand promises and the cutting of sod for the project, there has been no visible progress on the ground. He noted that the site remains undeveloped, with the funds apparently squandered.

John Mahama explained that his administration did not start the project during his previous tenure because they were unable to secure dedicated funding. He emphasized the importance of continuous financing for such a large-scale project, noting that relying on the Government of Ghana’s budget was a flawed approach from the start. According to Mahama, funding a nearly $1 billion project through the consolidated fund was always going to be problematic, leading to the current impasse.

“We didn’t start it because we were not able to procure dedicated funding for it because for a project like that when you start, funding it must continue till its completion and so when this new government came, they took it up and in 2019 they cut sod for it.

He criticized the government for using the project for political gain without ensuring that the necessary resources were in place to see it through. Mahama lamented that the project, which was supposed to bring significant relief to the flood-prone region, has instead become a symbol of financial waste and unfulfilled promises.

Mahama pledged that his administration, if given the mandate, would not only complete the Pwalugu Dam project but would also ensure that those who caused financial loss to the state are held accountable. He underscored the importance of bringing justice to the situation, stressing that the misuse of public funds cannot go unchecked.

The NDC flagbearer concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the project, calling it “desirable” and “necessary” for the region. He vowed that under his leadership, the project would receive the attention and funding it requires to be successfully completed, finally delivering on the promise to mitigate the devastating floods in the Upper East Region.

“Of course, it made a lot of political capital for the president’s party in cutting sod for that project…Unfortunately, we have rather lost money because almost $12 million was paid for no work done. You go to the site there is absolutely nothing there so somebody has caused financial loss to the state and must be held to account. But it is a project that is desirable. We intend to continue.”