Government has launched millions electrification project across districts

The government has launched a GH¢598 million electrification project to connect 211 communities across 22 districts in the Central Region to the national grid.

It is part of efforts to accelerate universal electricity access in the country.

The six-month project, being executed by Arvensis Ghana Limited, forms part of the government’s flagship Big Push initiative and the Rural Electricity Acceleration and Urban Intensification Initiative.

Speaking at the launch of the project at the forecourt of the Gomoa Ajumako Paramount Chief’s Palace, the Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, who represented the sector Minister, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, said the Central Region was among four regions prioritised this year for accelerated electricity connections.

The deputy minister said the intervention was expected to support education, health care, businesses, agro-processing, investment, security and job creation, while improving livelihoods in the beneficiary communities.

He said the ministry would closely monitor the implementation of the project to ensure quality, value for money and timely completion, stressing that the six-month deadline was binding on the contractor.

At the launch were the Paramount Chief of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, Obrempong Nyanful Krampah XI; the Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah; Members of Parliament, Municipal and District Chief Executives, officials of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana, representatives of Arvensis Ghana Limited, assembly members and Obirifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II of the Gomoa Assin Traditional Area.

Communities to benefit

The works are expected to be completed within six months, with the project forming part of a targeted regional strategy to connect communities without electricity to the national grid within the next four years.

Central, Savannah, Oti and Volta are the four regions prioritised this year under the strategy.

Six-month deadline

The deputy minister said the ministry would closely monitor the project to ensure that the contractor completed the work within the agreed timeframe and to the required standards.

Mr Gyan-Mensah stressed that the six-month completion period was not a suggestion and that the contractor would be held accountable to meet the deadline.

The monitoring process will focus on the quality of the infrastructure, value for money and adherence to the implementation schedule.

Other energy projects

The electrification project complements other investments being made to improve electricity infrastructure in the Central Region.

The deputy minister said solar streetlight installation under the National Streetlighting Programme had been completed in the region.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is also constructing a primary substation at Apam.

The substation will comprise a 20MVA, 33/11kV distribution transformer and is expected to improve the reliability of electricity supply while increasing capacity to meet growing demand.

The various interventions are aimed at strengthening the region’s electricity infrastructure while expanding access to power.