By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R) Sept. 25, GNA – Mr John Kwadwo Gyapong, the Oti Regional Minister, has described the Government’s Big Push Electrification Project, as a major intervention that would help unlock the region’s economic potential and improve livelihoods across communities.
He said access to reliable electricity went beyond lighting homes, stressing that it was a critical enabler of education, healthcare, agriculture, agro-processing, enterprise development, security and investment.
Mr Gyapong made the remarks at the sod-cutting ceremony for the Big Push Electrification Project at Dambai in the Oti Region.
He said reliable electricity supply would support agro-processing activities, enhance healthcare delivery, improve security and create an enabling environment for businesses and investors to operate and expand.
The Regional Minister said the BigPush initiative formed an important component of the Government’s broader infrastructure and development agenda.
He noted that the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition’s 2026–2029 sector plan identified the expansion of electricity access as a key intervention towards achieving universal electricity access.
Mr Gyapong disclosed that the number of communities earmarked to benefit from the electrification programme in the Oti Region had increased from 77 to 90 following additional interventions by the Ministry.
He expressed appreciation to the Ministry for expanding the scope of the project, saying the additional communities would benefit significantly from improved access to electricity and its associated socio-economic opportunities.
Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, said construction works under the programme were expected to commence in October 2026 and be completed by the end of March or early April 2027.
He said the electrification programme would be complemented by other interventions aimed at improving the reliability, quality and efficiency of electricity supply across the country.
Dr Jinapor cited the ongoing deployment of more than 2,000 distribution transformers within the operational areas of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
He said the intervention was intended to strengthen the distribution network and improve power supply to communities and businesses.
The Minister also announced the implementation of an all-in-one solar street-lighting programme, under which about 23,000 units were expected to be installed nationwide during the year.
He said the Oti Region would benefit from the programme, alongside the rehabilitation of existing grid-connected streetlights in regional and district capitals.
Dr Jinapor further announced a community street-lighting initiative through which Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) could collaborate with the Ministry to provide streetlights for communities.
He said the combined interventions formed part of efforts to expand electricity access while improving the quality, reliability and security of power supply to support socio-economic development.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo