BY Daniel Bampoe
Fresh disclosures by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, have reignited debate over the controversial Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project, with new details significantly reshaping earlier claims made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
For several years, the stalled project has been used as a political weapon, with leading NDC figures including John Dramani Mahama and Sammy Gyamfi accusing the Akufo-Addo administration of engaging in what they described as “naked thievery” over the alleged payment of nearly $12 million to a contractor for no work done.
Origins of the Project And Bawumia’s Role
The Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam was conceived as a flagship development project aimed at transforming northern Ghana through irrigation, flood control, and the generation of 60 megawatts of hydroelectric power. The initiative formed a key part of the government’s broader infrastructure and agricultural modernization agenda.
Dr. Bawumia played a central role in championing the project, describing it as the largest single investment in northern Ghana since independence.
He was instrumental in promoting its strategic importance and participated in the sod-cutting ceremony in November 2019 alongside then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Despite these high-level commitments, the project failed to progress beyond preliminary stages, creating fertile ground for political criticism.
NDC’s Sustained Allegations
While in opposition, the NDC mounted an aggressive campaign against the project, centering their criticism on the claim that $11.9 million had been paid to the contractor, Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), without any physical work executed.
Mahama repeatedly argued that the project was poorly conceived and financially mismanaged, insisting that the government’s attempt to fund a nearly $1 billion project through the national budget was fundamentally flawed.
Sammy Gyamfi also dismissed explanations by the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) that the payment represented a mobilization fee backed by a bank guarantee, describing such justifications as dishonest and indefensible.
The NDC further escalated the matter politically by promising prosecutions under its proposed “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL) initiative, framing the issue as a clear case of financial loss to the state.
Jinapor’s Disclosure Changes the Narrative
However, the narrative took a decisive turn following Dr. Jinapor’s recent clarification before Parliament’s Government Assurances Committee.
Contrary to widespread claims and misinterpretations circulating in the public domain, the Minister confirmed that the contractor had indeed been paid—but crucially revealed that the contractor failed to execute any work and subsequently absconded from Ghana.
“I explicitly stated that the contractor had been paid but absconded with the funds without executing any corresponding work,” Dr. Jinapor stated, firmly rejecting reports that he had claimed otherwise.
He further disclosed that the matter has been referred to the Attorney-General for investigation and possible prosecution, signaling government’s intent to pursue accountability through legal channels.
Bawumia’s Vindication And Political Fallout
The Minister’s admission has been seized upon by allies of Dr. Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as clear vindication of the former Vice President, who had come under intense criticism over the project.
Supporters argue that the NDC’s long-standing narrative—that the payment constituted deliberate corruption or theft—has been exposed as misleading. Instead, the issue now appears to be rooted in contractor default and contractual enforcement challenges rather than political wrongdoing.
They further point to earlier explanations by GIDA that the payment was a mobilization advance secured by a bank guarantee, suggesting that the state retains legal avenues to recover the funds.
Current Status of the Project
As it stands, the Pwalugu Dam project remains stalled, with only limited preparatory works such as access roads and site facilities reportedly completed.
Recent reports indicate that efforts are underway to rescope the project to make it financially viable and ensure its eventual completion, underscoring its continued importance to Ghana’s long-term development strategy.
A Broader Lesson in Governance and Political Accountability
The evolving developments surrounding the Pwalugu Dam project highlight the dangers of politicizing complex infrastructure challenges, particularly when facts are still emerging.
While legitimate concerns remain about procurement processes and project execution, the latest revelations suggest that earlier accusations against Dr. Bawumia may have overstated or mischaracterized the situation.
