The Media Coalition Against Galamsey is admonishing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to emulate the actions of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II by dismissing government officials who are found guilty of engaging in illegal mining activities.
This comes on the back of Otumfuo’s decision to destool the Chief of Abuontem, Nana Kwaku Duah III following allegations of his involvement in the illegal sale of lands that rightfully belong to various individuals and families.
The destoolment of Nana Kwaku Duah III and his subsequent handover to the police took place on Monday during a session of the Kumasi Traditional Council held at the Manhyia Palace.
Speaking on the matter, the convener of the Coalition, Ing Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey says Otumfuo has shown leadership which he is charging the president to adapt in his governance.
Ing Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey
“This is what we expect of leadership and I completely agree with Otumfuo that if you are a chief, and you have galamsey happening in your community, you are either complicit and are deeply involved in it or you are incompetent and in both cases, you are not worthy of being the chief or leader of the people. And I think this is the Asantehene walking the talk and so it is the same action that we require of the president.”
This comes a little over a week after the chief of Aduamoa was also destooled due to his involvement in unauthorized multiple land sales and various acts of misconduct.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is set to roll out the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) Programme in September this year.
Under the CRM, residents of Accra and other selected parts of the country do not have to own a cylinder to use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for the domestic and commercial activities.
Filled LPG cylinders will be kept at exchange points for customers to pay for the content and pick up the filled cylinders after registering with their National Identity Card.
The implementation of the CRM will be championed by the NPA
and its partners under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy.
Briefing the media on the planned implementation of the CRM in Accra on Thursday, a Deputy Chief Executive of NPA, Mr. Perry Okudzeto, said the programme would be rolle out in September in Accra and Kumasi and would gradually spread across the country.
He said the CRM would run side by side with the current distribution model until is phased out.
Mr. Okudzeto said a 50-member committee was working on the CRM.
He indicated that the LPG Marketing Companies had representation on the committee and their inputs had been factored into the framework.
“All industry players have been engaged, their ideas hav been taken on board and the framework has been designed with their input and are ready to offer their support to ensure the success of the project,” he stressed.
Mr. Okudzeto said
the implementation of the CRM is to ensure that at least 50% of Ghanaians have access to safe, clean and environmentally friendly LPG by 2030.
Perry Okudzeto
It is also meant to improve access to LPG, improve safety in the distribution of LPG and to increase adoption of LPG.
Additionally, it is a policy shift to stop the unnecessary loss of lives and properties as well as gas filling stations, mostly due to human error.
Mr. Okudzeto explained that per the CRM policy, cylinders procured from manufacturing companies would be sent to Bottling Plants to be filled.
The filled cylinders will be transported in bulk to exchange depots for holding and sorting before transporting them in quantities to cylinder exchange points where consumers can register and pay for any quantity for domestic and commercial consumption.
Specialised trucks will be used to transport the filled cylinders from the bottling plants to the retail stations or exchange points, where consumers will exchange their empty cylinders for filled ones.
Mr. Okudzeto said the registration with the Ghana card at the exchange points was necessary to have data on consumers for traceability.
He said the programme had been well piloted, the system streamlined and the infrastructure put in place to ensure the safe delivery and use of LPG across the operational areas.
“The NPA commissioned a pilot programme with the existing infrastructure. The pilot programme was done in the Eastern Region around the Kwaebibem area, in Ashanti Region in Obuasi zone and then in the Northern Region in the Yendi zone. The programme taught us quite a number of lessons and that has gone into shaping the framework for the implementation of the new policy,” he said.
Mr. Okudzeto said four CRM Bottling facilities – GOIL Bottling Plant in Tema and Kumasi as well the Blue Ocean and Newgas facilities were ready to take off.
APPEB Cylinder Manufacturing Company in Awutu Senya, SIGMA Cylinder Manufacturing Company in Accra and the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company at Spintex, which will be producing the cylinders to be distributed nationwide, are also ready for the roll out.
“So far, since 2017, the first step has been to construct bottling plants that will be the main pivot around which the policy will operate since under the new policy, cylinders are going to be filled with LPG and sent to exchange points for distribution,” Mr Okudjeto stressed.
The Seidi Community in the Atwima Nwabiagya south Municipality in the Ashanti region has benefited from series of sensitization forums against the use of children in mining, especially illegal Mining popularly known as Galamsey.
The sensitization was organized for Parents,Teachers,stakeholders and school children in Seidi,the predominantly farming Community noted for mining activities involving children of school going age to expose them to health, legalities and environmental impact in order to get them stop using children fro mining.
Participants in a group photograph
The well attended forum organized by Madam Bernice Asante with full support of Seidi M/A Basic Junior High School (JHS) was funded by Global Greengrants Fund (GGF).
The forum which was held on 1st August,2023 at The Church of Pentecost auditorium at Seidi. was on the theme “The use of children in mining: Legalities and implications on health, environment and education”.
The key facilitators were:Dr.David Adu-Poku, Senior Lecturer,University of Energy and Natural Resources-UENR and Madam Lucy Afari-Yeboah,The Ashanti Regional Registrar- Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Dr.David Adu-Poku and Mad.Lucy Afari-Yeboah
Speaking on the Use of Children in mining: Legalities on Health, Environment and Education”, Dr.David Adu-Poku stressed on the need for all hands to be on deck to fight against illegal mining across the country.
He said Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer; overtook South Africa in 2019 with 4.8Million.
According to him, other commercially exploited minerals in Ghana are Manganese, bauxite, and diamonds. God, he said has blessed the nation with many resources and that about 95% of financial contribution to the economy is generated from Gold.”There are a lot of benefits from proper mining including development Projects, employment etc but things need to be done rightly.
Dr.Adu-Poku making presentation
He said Employment generation from large scale mining sector is about 20,000 but the negative impact nationally, seeming mismatch between development and mineral revenue. According to Dr.Adu-Poku locally, host mining communities are becoming perpetually impoverished, high unemployment, high cost of living (food, housing, health, education etc).
These he said increased poverty and social vices (prostitution, school dropouts, family breakdown, and teenage pregnancy among others).
He pointed out that with large scale mining, the employees or workers are protected because of the use of proper equipment but the surrounding communities usually bear the consequences or negative impact but with artisanal/small scale gold production, the risk is very high because they do it on the surface without personal protective Equipment (PPEs).
He stated emphatically that the engagement of children in illegal mining exposed them to several dangers. He revealed that usually nursing mothers are engaged in the risky illegal mining properly known as Galamsey without taking into consideration the negative impact on their health and that of their kids.
The Senior Lecturer of UENR said “we must be worried about the involvement of women and especially children in illegal mining activities”.
He said the use of mercury and cyanide has negative impact on the children and mothers.These include; health cost, socio-economic cost , environmental cost among other cost to the children and the nation.
Mad.Lucy Afari-Yeboah making presentation
Dr Adu-Poku touching on the health cost of illegal mining to women and children cautioned miners against the use of mercury mostly by artisanal and small scale gold miners.
He hinted that even though, mercury is very poisonous which is not supposed to be easy accessible but Gold dealers are trading mercury in barter trade with illegal miners across illegal mining communities. Using pictorial evidence in his power point presentation to give participants clear understanding of his message, Dr.Adu-Poku said “Mercury is no go area because it’s poisonous. Mercury he said is exposed to air,water,fish, vaccines, amalgam fillings and cosmetics, lotions, and fragrances makes everyone at risk
According to him, long term negative effects as a result of the use of mercury in mining especially on children include;Brain -behavior problem, lower IQ, hearing loss and learning disability.
On the implications on environment, the Senior Lecturer said the uniminaginable environmental cost include; water pollution, depletion of forest.
He said there are alternative to the use of mercury which is poisonous which are sluice boxes,the use of Borax,mild leaching (cyanidation).He disclosed that most large scale mining companies use cyanide.He therefore appealed to the government to focus on training of miners in the country to desist from engaging children, nursing mothers and the use of mercury for any form of mining activities.
The Ashanti Regional Registrar of CHRAJ,Madam Lucy Afari-Yeboah mentioned that Children’s Act,1998 (Act 560) enjoined Parents not to force children into any form of Hazardous work.She encouraged parents to enroll their wards into school, invest in them to become self-sufficient .According to her, proper education empowers children in all their endeavours. “Let’s enroll our children to school or vocational training.The law enjoined us not to maltreat our children or force them into illegal mining or any form of hazardous work”,she added.
Mad.Lucy Afari-Yeboah said “let’s all help to expose parents who force their children into illegal mining.We need to encourage our children to attend school”.
She said Article 94 of Children’s Act forbid children from mining especially illegal mining and cautioned children in Seidi and nearby communities to desist from mining before they are catch up with the law.CHRAJ,she said is always ready to standby children.
She said Act 560, session 94 of Children Act forbids parents from forcing children into hazardous work and cautioned them to stop exploitation of their children,She also advised children to be obedient to their parents and guidance.
Mad.Lucy Afari-Yeboah asked Parents to stop the blame game and take good care of their children. “Let’s help them to understand the health and environmental implications on illegal mining as well as the benefits of quality education”,
Nana Boakye -Seidi Chief also stressed on the urgent need for government to take a critical look at the proliferation of the use of mercury by galamseyers before they destroy everyone.
He encouraged the organizers to intensify the education against the use of children in illegal mining and the use of mercury for mining.The head teacher of Seidu Basic School ,Mr.Godfred Yeboah cried over kids abandoning school to date galamseyers which he said was affecting effective teaching and learning.
According to him, school going age involvement in Galamsey is gravely affecting teaching and learning as a result of absenteeism. Mr.Godfred Yeboah was grateful to the organizers for selecting the community and the school as beneficiaries of the forum.Source:tntnewspapergh.com
Mr Delali Komla Kabe,former General Manager and a Mining Engineer at GCD LTD is the new CEO/MD of Golden Empire Legacy limited.
He was responsible for providing leadership and direction to the company’s management team and ensured the achievement of GCD LTD objectives at optimum efficiency and minimum cost, consistent with safe operating procedures, applicable laws and sound business practices.
He is a versatile professional and retired Miner with over 35 years experience in the mining industry.
His professional work began at the Tarkwa Goldfields Limited and then continued to the then Ghana Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Limited (GCDGL), where he was practically involved in the research (efficient recovery diamonds and gold) and production, supervision of mining and sorting of diamonds.
He rose through the ranks and became the Production Manager deputizing the Managing Director. Between 2012 and 2018, he became Mines General Manager for GCDGL. Under his leadership he was able to effectively maximise operational efficiency and outputs by reducing production costs.
Delali holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining, a Post Graduate Diploma in Mining, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and Exec MBA.
He has also earned a number of management and professional certificates including Competency in Surface Mine Blasting, Ghana Red Cross First Aid, Shift Boss, Mine Captain, Mine Superintendent, Mine Managers’ Supervisory Leadership Skills, Introduction to Management from Management Development and Productivity Institute, Performance Appraisal –MDPI, Strategic Management – Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Project Management – MERJJA Technology, Canada.
A day’s sensitization forum on Climate change has been held at IDL Conference room of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for about Two hundred and Fifty (250) participants.
The well attended forum organized by the Students’ Movement For Climate Resilient Environment (SMovCaRE) was under the theme “IT’S TIME TO TEACH EVERYONE TO BEAT CLIMATE CHANGE”.
The forum sponsored by Global Greengrants Fund(GGF) had Professor Leonard K Amekudzi,the Provost Of College of Science at KNUST and Dr.Frank Baffour-Ata,a Lecturer of KNUST as speakers.
Prof.Amekudzi heaps praises on Bismark Nkrumah,a final year Economic student who doubles as the Leader of the group and his executives for the initiative which needs to be emulated by all students of the University and Ghanaians at large.
According to him, the fight against climate change is a shared responsibility of all and sundry.
Bismark Nkrumah,Leader of the group
“Let’s all take good care of our environment.It’s really the responsibility of every student and everyone to start thinking about climate change”.
Prof.Leonard K Amekudzi lauded the Government’s trees planting agenda and encourages all Ghanaians to get involved, help nurture and protect the planted trees.
The Provost of College of Science, KNUST therefore advocated for the investment in the rain water harvesting.
According to him,the environment is currently changing faster than expected all because of climate change.
And all the changes have been attributed to human activities there’s therefore the need for change of attitude and behaviour towards our environment devoid of degradation.
He encouraged The Students’ Movement for Climate Resilient Environment to fully commit themselves to the goal of awareness creation on Climate change.
On his part,Dr Frank Baffour-Ata observed that the average temperature of the Earth surface is now about 1.1•C warmer than it was.
According to him, apart from the rising temperature,there are multiple of evidence that show the climate system is changing.
He mentioned some of the adverse impact of climate change as ; increased drought,water scarcity,loss of species,more severe storms etc.
The KUNST Lecturer who has several publications and awards on climate change to his credit said “it is important to highlight that climate change affects every socio-economic sector; Agriculture,water, education, transportation, health, energy, Forestry etc.
Touching on how to beat climate change,Dr.Frank Baffour-Ata advised that “we need to change ourselves so as to beat climate change”.
He said there is also the need for adaptation-adapting to life in a changing climate-involves adjusting to actual or expected future Climate.
According to him,the adaption goal is to reduce risks from the harmful effects of climate change (like sea-level rise,more intense weather).
On his part,The Leader of the The Stidents’ Movement for Climate Resilient Environment ( SMovCaRE), Bismark Nkrumah appealed to his colleagues to join the Movement.
He encouraged them to put to actio
n education they acquired from the speakers at the forum.
He announced that several activities including debates among students from three(3) Universities, exchange programs, educational tour among others on climate change would be embarked on as part of their sensitization on climate change.
Bismark Nkrumah also commended Global Greengrants Fund (GGF) for sponsoring the well attended source: tntnewspapergh.com
Ghana is on the verge of a severe power crisis in the coming days if immediate measures are not taken to address an outstanding debt of $1.73 billion owed to the Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
The IPPs have issued a renewed ultimatum, threatening to shut down their plants starting July 1, 2023, unless the government provides an interim payment of 30% of the outstanding debt.
The IPPs argue that without receiving payment within the next few days, they will be unable to sustain the national grid beyond June 30.
In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, June 27, Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Independent Power Producers, Distributors, and Bulk Consumers (CIPDiB), expressed their inability to convince creditors, contractors, and other essential stakeholders to further delay payments and maintain operations.
Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor
“Basically we are saying that we lack the resources to continue generation beyond 30th June and we are giving them [Finance Ministry] up to March. We didn’t hear from them but the fact is beyond June we just don’t have the resource to continue to supply.”
Mr Apetorgbor added that “all the IPPs are operating on borrowed funds and the critical part is our ability to pay our debt. The second quarter is about to end, so the six of us have no resources to continue to supply, so we are not going beyond June 30th.
Mr Apetorgbor also stated that the IPPs have rejected any form of debt restructuring because they cannot explain to their lenders that Ghana’s economy is in shambles and are unable to repay their debt.
“We have sacrificed a lot for the economy, the debt in question is already debt we have borrowed from our lenders and we can’t explain to them that we can’t pay because Ghana’s economy is in shambles, they won’t listen.”
Independent power producers play a significant role in Ghana’s energy sector, controlling 47 percent of the country’s total power generation mix and contributing 67 percent of Ghana’s thermal power.
As of May 2021, the six enterprises collectively claim an outstanding debt of approximately $1.73 billion in cedis, with the debt dating back to January 2021.
The IPPs highlight that this debt has hindered their access to working capital, preventing them from financing crucial inputs such as chemicals for water treatment in thermal generators and other supplies, many of which are priced in foreign currency, primarily the US dollar.Source:Kobina Welsing
The Minority has noted with serious concern the decision by President Akufo-Addo to attack the person of former President Mahama during the commissioning of the 161kv Bulk Supply Point at Accra Central, which President Mahama initiated.
For the record, the Mahama led government in 2014 requested for grant aid from Japan to construct the 161kv Bulk Supply Point to be located in the Central Business District of Accra, to adequately and reliably meet the high electricity demand in the area, which was growing at a rate higher than the system average of 10% per annum.
We wish to emphasise that all the necessary, regulatory, financial and technical approvals were secured under President Mahama, with actual construction works commencing in 2016 before he handed over power to the current administration.
This can be verified from the 2017 and 2018 GRIDCO Annual Reports as well as the “2015 Preparatory Survey Report on The Project for Power Supply To Accra Central In The Republic Of Ghana” published on the JICA website.
Former President’John Mahama
President Akufo-Addo
It is therefore surprising that rather than commending his predecessor for initiating the New Bulk Supply Point, described as a gamechanger by the current GRIDCo Board Chair (https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/New-Bulk-Supply-Point-for-Accra-Central-is-a-gamechanger-GRIDCo-Board-Chair-1785623), President Akufo-Addo rather chose the occasion to make baseless, inaccurate and unfounded allegation against former President Mahama.
If President Akufo-Addo truly wants to know who ended Dumsor, he may want to consult his own Vice-President, Dr. Mahamoud Bawumiah who is on record to have stated that Mahama ended Dumsor (https://www.ghanawish.com/mahama-solved-dumsor-but-deserves-no-credit-for-that-bawumia-video/).
If President Akufo-Addo cannot recognise the enormous contribution of President Mahama in the energy sector, the least he could do was to refrain from such unwarranted attacks, particularly at a programme to commission a project which is the brainchild of President Mahama, as the saying goes “you do not bite the hand that fed you”.
The Minority wishes to caution in the strongest terms possible that it will no longer tolerate such unwarranted and pedestrian attacks on President Mahama by this non-performing government in a desperate attempt to tarnish his image.
It is an incontrovertible fact that President John Mahama laid a solid foundation in the Power Sector, with a clear vision of exporting Power as evidenced by the completion of the 330kv Kumasi – Bolgatanga Transmission Project, which has enabled Ghana to export power to neighbouring Burkina-Faso.
On the contrary, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumiah led government, having added no value to the sector, will go down in history as the worst Government as far as the Power sub-sector is concerned.
John Abdulai Jinapor Ranking Member (Mines and Energy Committee)
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has stated categorically that Ghana will not export unprocessed Litium to the international market in it’s raw state.
He explained, the government of Ghana is determined to add value to the country’s Mineral resources, create jobs, and generate more revenue to support the growth of African number one gold ducking country GDP.
Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa summit in Marrakesh in Morocco the Minister informed the international community of the government’s commitments to add value to its natural resources.
The Damango member of Parliament further explained at the ongoing summit that the Ghanaian government is working on a policy framework to retain a significant portion of Mineral resources, such as Lithium, and add value to it before exporting it.
The policy framework is intended to safeguard Ghanaian interests in relation to the production of lithium and other minerals.
Ghana has discovered commercial quantities of lithium spodumene in the Central region along the lithium belt of Cape Coast.
Ghana had previously exported gold, oil, and diamonds in their unprocessed form, depriving the country of enormous revenues from added value for economic growth and development.
“We intend to end the practise of not adding value to our mineral resources.” We are beginning by establishing the appropriate policy and legal frameworks for Ghana to significantly benefit from the new paradigm of renewable energy, the Minister said that in Marrakech, Morocco.
Bloomberg’s ‘New Economy Gateway Africa’ summit brought together leaders from the world’s private and public sectors to discuss the world’s most pressing issues and evaluate potential solutions in the context of local and regional priorities, focusing on the impact of a slowing global economy; rising food and energy prices; supply-chain shocks; tightening financial conditions; and the rising risk of distress among sovereign borrowers.
This two-day summit began on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, and will conclude on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
“WE’RE NOT GOING BACK TO DUMSOR; WE LEAVE THAT TO MAHAMA” – PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO
“I wish to reassure you all that my government will continue to work towards “Keeping the Lights on”, in spite of the global dynamics of energy pricing, because the alternative is not an option. We are not going back to dumsor, we leave that to President Mahama.”
These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 13th June 2023, when he commissioned the 161 kilovolt GRIDCo, ECG Bulk Power Supply Point, constructed under the Project for the Reinforcement of Power Supply to Accra Central.
Addressing the gathering, President Akufo-Addo noted that in the 21st century, any country that aspires to industrialise, as part of its economic agenda, and assure its people of a decent quality of life, must necessarily ensure that its citizens have access to stable, efficient, affordable power supply
“Our daily lives, from simple things such as charging our mobile phones, and keeping our electrical appliances working, to operating our offices and businesses, are run by electric power. Electricity is no longer a luxury but rather a necessity in this day and age, and we must commit ourselves to working hard to ensure that we achieve universal coverage in this country in order to spur on rapid rates of economic growth,” he said.
The President noted that the power needs of Accra’s Central Business District have important implications for our economy, with projected electricity demand rate of residents and commercial establishments, operating within Accra Central and its environs, standing at ten percent (10%) per annum.
In addition, power demand in Greater Accra is projected to reach about one thousand megavolt-ampere (1,000 MVA), with an average annual growth rate of some eight percent (8%).
“It is evident that the execution of the Accra Central BSP project is consistent with the country’s power needs and development, with a GDP growth rate of up to fifteen percent (15%) around the time of project preparation,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo continued, “The project we are commissioning today is a one hundred and sixty-one kilo-Volt Bulk Supply Point, which delivers on government’s commitment to “Keep the Lights On”. It also guarantees stable, reliable and regular supply of electricity for the busy and bustling Accra Central Business District and surrounding areas.”
The Accra Central Bulk Power Supply Project, indeed, project could not have become a reality without the generous grant from the Japanese Government and its external agency, the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA), and without Japanese technology and technical assistance.
On behalf of the government and people of Ghana, the President extended deep appreciation to the Japanese Government and the Japanese Consultants, a Joint Venture of Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd. and West Japan Engineering Consultants Inc; the main Contractor, a Japanese Joint Venture of Mitsubishi Corporation, Hitachi Plant Construction, Ltd., and Yurtec Corporation, for the efforts and continuous support and contribution to Ghana’s development and growth.
“This project is an excellent illustration of the strong co-operation that links the Republic of Ghana and the Kingdom of Japan, which we cherish very much. My gratitude also goes to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for providing access to part of the compound of its Primary Substation E, which facilitated the construction of this Accra Central BSP. I also wish to thank all traditional leaders, as well as the Ghana Railway Development Authority, for access to the transmission line right-of-way,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo further expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and families in this area, “who ceded part of their lands to pave way for the building of the transmission tower that provides a critical connection point from the BSP for onward connection to power supply.”
About Accra Central Bulk Supply Point
This Bulk Supply Point is a gas insulated sub-station, which is GRIDCo’s first sub-station with such technology. This is an innovation in technology applied in areas where spaces are significantly limited, thus large capacity switchgear and transformers, which are compact, can be installed.
The benefits of this Accra Central Bulk Supply Point, amongst many others, are to reduce transmission and distribution losses, ensure high reliability of electricity supply, and ensure a high level of personnel safety.
With the operationalisation of the Accra Central BSP, power voltages have become stable (protecting valuable equipment), power supply reliability has improved, and, with this, efficiency has been restored, reducing system losses as required by the regulator, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
“I wish to reassure you all that my government will continue to work towards “Keeping the Lights on”, in spite of the global dynamics of energy pricing, because the alternative is not an option. We are not going back to dumsor, we leave that to President Mahama.”
These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 13th June 2023, when he commissioned the 161 kilovolt GRIDCo, ECG Bulk Power Supply Point, constructed under the Project for the Reinforcement of Power Supply to Accra Central.
Addressing the gathering, President Akufo-Addo noted that in the 21st century, any country that aspires to industrialise, as part of its economic agenda, and assure its people of a decent quality of life, must necessarily ensure that its citizens have access to stable, efficient, affordable power supply.
“Our daily lives, from simple things such as charging our mobile phones, and keeping our electrical appliances working, to operating our offices and businesses, are run by electric power. Electricity is no longer a luxury but rather a necessity in this day and age, and we must commit ourselves to working hard to ensure that we achieve universal coverage in this country in order to spur on rapid rates of economic growth,” he said.
The President noted that the power needs of Accra’s Central Business District have important implications for our economy, with projected electricity demand rate of residents and commercial establishments, operating within Accra Central and its environs, standing at ten percent (10%) per annum.
In addition, power demand in Greater Accra is projected to reach about one thousand megavolt-ampere (1,000 MVA), with an average annual growth rate of some eight percent (8%).
“It is evident that the execution of the Accra Central BSP project is consistent with the country’s power needs and development, with a GDP growth rate of up to fifteen percent (15%) around the time of project preparation,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo continued, “The project we are commissioning today is a one hundred and sixty-one kilo-Volt Bulk Supply Point, which delivers on government’s commitment to “Keep the Lights On”. It also guarantees stable, reliable and regular supply of electricity for the busy and bustling Accra Central Business District and surrounding areas.”
The Accra Central Bulk Power Supply Project, indeed, project could not have become a reality without the generous grant from the Japanese Government and its external agency, the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA), and without Japanese technology and technical assistance.
On behalf of the government and people of Ghana, the President extended deep appreciation to the Japanese Government and the Japanese Consultants, a Joint Venture of Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd. and West Japan Engineering Consultants Inc; the main Contractor, a Japanese Joint Venture of Mitsubishi Corporation, Hitachi Plant Construction, Ltd., and Yurtec Corporation, for the efforts and continuous support and contribution to Ghana’s development and growth.
“This project is an excellent illustration of the strong co-operation that links the Republic of Ghana and the Kingdom of Japan, which we cherish very much. My gratitude also goes to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for providing access to part of the compound of its Primary Substation E, which facilitated the construction of this Accra Central BSP. I also wish to thank all traditional leaders, as well as the Ghana Railway Development Authority, for access to the transmission line right-of-way,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo further expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and families in this area, “who ceded part of their lands to pave way for the building of the transmission tower that provides a critical connection point from the BSP for onward connection to power supply.”
About Accra Central Bulk Supply Point
This Bulk Supply Point is a gas insulated sub-station, which is GRIDCo’s first sub-station with such technology. This is an innovation in technology applied in areas where spaces are significantly limited, thus large capacity switchgear and transformers, which are compact, can be installed.
The benefits of this Accra Central Bulk Supply Point, amongst many others, are to reduce transmission and distribution losses, ensure high reliability of electricity supply, and ensure a high level of personnel safety.
With the operationalisation of the Accra Central BSP, power voltages have become stable (protecting valuable equipment), power supply reliability has improved, and, with this, efficiency has been restored, reducing system losses as required by the regulator, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has announced that the government will provide the necessary equipment to the staff of the Forestry Commission to combat illegal mining in forest reserves.
Mr. Jinapor stated that bulletproof vests and weapons will be provided to fight illegal miners, commonly known as ‘galamseyers,’ who have been causing destruction to water bodies.
While speaking at the commissioning of an office complex for the Forestry Commission in the Eastern Region, Abu Jinapor emphasized the need to protect the Atiwa forest and other forests, as well as combat activities that threaten the survival of forest reserves at Atiwa.
“Atiwa forest and various forests in the Eastern region are under attack from illegal miners, and galamseyers. Please rid these forest reserves of illegal miners and illegal loggers and other activities which threaten the survival of forest reserves in our country.
Samuel Abu Jinapor
“You [Forestry Commission] have our full support, whether they are high people or low people, whether they are political leaders or not, your work is to make sure that all forest reserves in this country are protected. Government will provide bulletproof vests and other weapons to aid your work,” Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor assured.
In recent times, illegal miners have been arrested for engaging in unlawful mining activities within various forest reserves in the country. Source:Citi Newsroom
