The Government of Ghana has set a six-month timeline for the completion of rural electrification and urban electricity intensification projects in the Oti Region. The projects, estimated at GH¢300 million, are part of the Rural Electrification Acceleration and Urban Intensification Initiative under the Government's flagship Big Push programme. This initiative seeks to extend electricity to communities without access to the national grid while strengthening existing networks in communities already connected.
The rural electrification component of the initiative will extend the national grid to underserved communities, while the intensification component will reinforce existing networks to meet growing demand and reduce challenges associated with inadequate power capacity. According to Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, the programme is not limited to rural electrification but also includes urban intensification to improve existing electricity infrastructure and enhance the reliability and quality of power supply.
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, stated that reliable electricity remained critical to national development, particularly in improving education and healthcare delivery, supporting businesses and agro-processing, attracting investment, creating employment, enhancing security, and improving livelihoods. He emphasized the Government's commitment to ensuring that no community is denied access to reliable electricity because of its location.
The Government has adopted a targeted regional approach to accelerate the connection of unelectrified communities to the national grid over the next four years. The Savannah, Central, Oti, and Volta Regions have been selected for implementation under the current phase of the initiative. This approach aims to bridge infrastructure and socio-economic gaps in relatively deprived regions like Oti.
Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his continued commitment to the development of the region. He noted that the electrification projects would create opportunities for young people to study and acquire skills, while enabling small and medium-scale businesses to operate more efficiently.
Daasebre Bonja Kwame Atamafowiese II, Chonke Overlord, commended the President for the initiative, saying improved electricity supply would help enhance power capacity and support economic activities in the region. However, he appealed to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to address persistent low-voltage challenges in parts of the region, which are affecting businesses and livelihoods.
The completion of these projects is expected to have a positive impact on the region, addressing developmental needs and promoting national transformation. The Government's commitment to the region is increasingly being demonstrated through projects and initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, inclusivity, and opportunities for the people.
Key points
- The projects are estimated at GH¢300 million and will extend reliable electricity supply to about 90 communities across the Oti Region.
- The Government has adopted a targeted regional approach to accelerate the connection of unelectrified communities to the national grid over the next four years.
- The initiative includes both rural electrification and urban intensification components to improve existing electricity infrastructure and enhance the reliability and quality of power supply.
