Gomoa ajumako: The government has initiated a GHS598 million rural electrification project to connect 211 unelectrified communities across 22 districts in the Central Region to the national grid. This initiative is part of the Rural Electricity Acceleration and Urban Intensification Initiative (REIP) under the 'Big Push' programme.
According to Ghana Web, the Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, announced the project during its launch at the Gomoa Ajumako Paramount Chief's Palace. He emphasized the government's dedication to providing universal access to electricity, stating, "Today, the President Mahama's government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that no community, irrespective of its location, is denied reliable and affordable electricity."
Gyan-Mensah noted that the government has implemented a targeted regional strategy to electrify unelectrified communities within the next four years. He highlighted that Central, Savannah, Oti, and Volta are the four regions being prioritized this year.
Arvensis Ghana Limited has been contracted to extend electricity to the 211 communities, with the project expected to be completed within six months. "In the Central Region, Messrs. Arvensis Ghana Limited is the contractor assigned to extend electricity to 211 communities across 22 districts, with completion expected within six months," he stated.
The project is set to complement other energy sector investments, such as the installation of solar streetlights and the construction of a primary substation at Apam. "Under the National Streetlighting Programme, solar streetlight installation in the Central Region has been completed," Gyan-Mensah added.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the benefits of reliable electricity across various sectors, asserting, "Reliable electricity supports education, healthcare, businesses, agro-processing, investment, security, job creation and improved livelihoods, while advancing Ghana towards universal access."
He assured that the Ministry would ensure quality and timely completion by closely monitoring the project's implementation. "The Ministry will closely monitor implementation to ensure quality, value for money and timely completion. The six-month timeline is not a suggestion, and the contractor will be held accountable," he stated.
Gyan-Mensah urged traditional authorities, Assemblies, and communities to support the project by facilitating access and resolving right-of-way issues. He called on community members to protect project materials and avoid vandalism and illegal electricity connections.
The Deputy Minister, on behalf of the government and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, officially handed over the project sites to the contractor and formally launched the Turnkey Project under REIP in the Central Region.