By Kingsley Mamore
Nkonya Wurupong (O/R), April 14, GNA–Madam Jean-Marie Formadi, Member of Parliament (MP) of Biakoye constituency of the Oti Region, is set to roll out a major community intervention dubbed “Lighting Up Biakoye” beginning Tuesday, with the distribution of 800 street lights to communities in the area.
The exercise, which will begin at Nkonya Wurupong, forms part of efforts to improve security, reduce incidents of petty crime, and enhance night-time visibility across the district.
Available district-level data and community feedback have consistently identified poor lighting in public spaces as a key constraint to safe movement after dark, particularly affecting women, traders, and students who engage in evening activities.
The initiative is therefore designed to address the concerns while supporting local economic activity during night hours.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Madam Formadi said the intervention followed series of stakeholder engagements held over the past six months, in addition, the consultations involved traditional authorities, assembly members, unit committee members and youth groups across the district.
The MP revealed that during engagements, community leaders identified priority areas such as market centres, school routes, lorry stations and access roads to health facilities as critical zones requiring immediate lighting support.
She noted that the 800 units constituted the first phase of a broader plan to extend street lighting coverage to all major settlements within the Biakoye enclave.
According to the lawmaker, the street light units comprised all-in-one solar-powered systems fitted with LED lamps, mounting brackets and integrated batteries.
They are expected to be installed at strategic points across beneficiary communities to serve markets, schools, health facilities and major road networks.
Installation will be undertaken in collaboration with the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Works Department of the Biakoye District Assembly to ensure proper siting, spacing, and durability.
The solar-powered design is also expected to ease pressure on the national grid and guarantee functionality during power outages.
The “Lighting Up Biakoye” initiative is anticipated to contribute significantly to crime prevention, enhance public safety, and promote extended business hours for traders, food vendors, and artisans.
Health professionals and educators added that improved lighting will support emergency response services and facilitate effective evening studies.
She urged beneficiary communities to take ownership of the project by ensuring proper maintenance and timely reporting of faults to sustain its impact.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/George-Ramsey Benamba