The Government of Ghana has initiated the Turnkey Electrification Project under the Rural Electricity Acceleration and Urban Intensification Initiative (REIP). This project targets 90 communities across all nine districts of the Oti Region. The initiative aims to extend electricity supply to communities without access and improve existing electricity networks for enhanced reliability and socio-economic development.
The project was launched by Mr. Richard Gyan-Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition. He stated that the rural electrification and urban intensification components are designed to address different but complementary electricity needs. The urban component focuses on intensifying and improving existing electricity networks, while the rural component extends electricity to communities currently without access.
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition's strategy is to cover all 16 regions over the next four years. This year, the Volta, Oti, Savannah, and North East regions are among those receiving attention. The Government has released 2,000 distribution transformers for installation by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to improve electricity supply stability.
For communities located far from existing distribution networks, the Government is considering mini-grid systems as an alternative means of providing electricity. Additionally, plans are underway to improve community and highway lighting through solar technology, with about 23,000 solar streetlights being provided nationwide. Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies will contribute part of the installation cost, while the Ministry finances the remainder.
The Deputy Minister announced that the Government is working on infrastructure and connectivity along the Eastern Corridor to support the broader development of the electricity network. Planned connectivity involves Ho to Asiekpe, Kadjebi to Ho, Adobire to Salaga, and Tamale to Salaga, which will be undertaken in phases. These interventions aim to improve electricity supply and voltage stability and promote sustainable economic development in the beneficiary areas.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah called on the Assemblies and traditional authorities to help protect electricity infrastructure, discourage illegal connections, and safeguard the right-of-way required for the successful execution of the projects. He also reminded consumers of their responsibility to pay their electricity bills, observe electrical safety precautions, and conserve energy.
The Oti Regional Minister, Mr. John Kwadwo Gyapong, expressed appreciation for the project's focus on 90 communities in the Oti Region. He noted that reliable electricity would create opportunities for citizens and strengthen socio-economic activities, particularly in schools, health facilities, and businesses. The Regional Coordinating Council is ready to collaborate with relevant institutions to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Key points
- The project aims to connect 90 communities in the Oti Region to the national grid.
- The Government has released 2,000 distribution transformers to improve electricity supply stability.
- The project is part of the President's directive to ensure rural electrification across all 16 regions.
