The government has reaffirmed its commitment to extending electricity to every community across Ghana, with a targeted regional strategy aimed at connecting all currently unserved communities to the national grid within the next four years.
Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition and Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Richard Gyan-Mensah, said the initiative forms part of the government’s flagship Big Push Programme, which includes an investment of GH¢598 million in the electrification of underserved communities and network improvement works.
Richard Gyan-Mensah, Minister, Energy and Green Transition
He made the announcement during the official launch of the Big Push Electrification Project and a sod-cutting ceremony for network improvement works on the 11KV Apam Distribution Feeder in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region.
According to Mr Gyan-Mensah, the government’s objective is to ensure that geographical location does not prevent any community from accessing reliable electricity.
He said the Central Region is among four regions prioritised under the first phase of the programme, with contractors engaged to extend electricity to more than 200 communities across the region.
The Deputy Energy Minister explained that the electrification programme was not only about providing power but also about creating the conditions for broader socio-economic development.
He said reliable electricity would contribute significantly to improved education and healthcare delivery while supporting businesses, attracting investment, creating jobs, enhancing security and improving the livelihoods of residents.
Mr Gyan-Mensah appealed to traditional leaders, Assembly Members, local authorities and other stakeholders to support the successful implementation of the projects.
He urged community leaders to facilitate access to project sites, help resolve right-of-way challenges and work with contractors to protect equipment and other materials being deployed for the projects.
“Traditional leaders are critical to the success of this project,” he said, stressing the need for sustained collaboration between the government, contractors and beneficiary communities.
He noted that the cooperation of local communities would be essential to ensuring that the projects were completed on schedule and that the investments delivered their intended benefits.
The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Okyere Panyin Eduamoah, also called for strict adherence to the technical specifications of the project.
Ekow Okyere Panyin Eduamoah, Central Regional Minister
He urged the contractor to use the specified materials and ensure that construction works met the required standards to guarantee the durability and lifespan of the electricity infrastructure.
Mr Eduamoah further appealed to the contractor to give employment opportunities to young people from the beneficiary communities once construction begins.
He said involving local youth in the implementation of the project would provide economic opportunities for residents while fostering a stronger sense of community ownership.
The Regional Minister also cautioned residents against stealing electricity poles, cables, transformers and other materials being supplied for the project.
He stressed that theft and vandalism could delay projects, increase costs and ultimately deprive communities of the benefits of the government’s investment.
The Paramount Chief of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, Obrempong Yamful Krampah XI, expressed gratitude to the government and President John Dramani Mahama for selecting the Central Region to benefit from the first phase of the electrification programme.
Obrempong Yamful Krampah XI, Paramount Chief, Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area
He described the project as an important intervention that would help accelerate development in communities that have remained without reliable access to electricity.
Obrempong Krampah XI commended President Mahama’s administration for what he described as significant progress since assuming office and said the President’s performance deserved commendation.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Traditional Council, in collaboration with other stakeholders, to monitor the implementation of the project to ensure that the Central Region derived the full benefits of the investment.
The launch of the Big Push Electrification Project marks another step in the government’s broader effort to expand Ghana’s electricity infrastructure, improve network reliability and close remaining gaps in access to electricity, particularly in underserved communities.
With more than 200 communities in the Central Region expected to benefit from the first phase, the success of the programme will depend not only on government funding and contractor performance but also on the cooperation of local authorities, traditional leaders and residents.
Story By Joseph Cobbina
