The government has launched a GH¢598 million rural electrification project to connect 211 communities without electricity across 22 districts in the Central Region to the national grid.

The project is being implemented under the Rural Electricity Acceleration and Urban Intensification Initiative (REIP), a component of the government’s flagship “Big Push” programme, and forms part of efforts to expand electricity access to underserved communities across the country.

Speaking at the sensitisation and launch of the Turnkey Project at the forecourt of the Gomoa Ajumako Paramount Chief’s Palace, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition and Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Richard Gyan-Mensah, said the initiative demonstrated government’s commitment to ensuring universal access to electricity.

“Today, the President Mahama’s government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that no community, irrespective of its location, is denied reliable and affordable electricity,” he said.

Mr Gyan-Mensah said government had adopted a targeted regional strategy to connect unelectrified communities to the national grid within the next four years, with Central, Savannah, Oti and Volta selected as priority regions for this year.

“Government has adopted a targeted regional strategy to connect unelectrified communities to the national grid within the next four years. I am happy to announce that this year Central, Savannah, Oti and Volta were the four regions being prioritised,” he said.

Under the Central Region component, Arvensis Ghana Limited has been contracted to extend electricity supply to 211 communities spread across 22 districts. The project is 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,” Mr Gyan-Mensah said.

He said the electrification project would complement other investments being made in the region’s energy infrastructure, including 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. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is also constructing a primary substation at Apam comprising a 20MVA, 33/11kV distribution transformer to improve reliability and increase capacity to meet growing demand,” he said.

According to the Deputy Minister, extending electricity to the beneficiary communities would have significant socio-economic benefits, particularly for education, healthcare, businesses, agriculture and job creation.

“Reliable electricity supports education, healthcare, businesses, agro-processing, investment, security, job creation and improved livelihoods, while advancing Ghana towards universal access,” he said.

Mr Gyan-Mensah assured residents that the Energy and Green Transition Ministry would closely monitor the implementation of the project to ensure that it meets the required standards and is delivered on schedule.

“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 stressed.

He further called on traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, as well as beneficiary communities, to cooperate with the contractor to facilitate the smooth execution of the project.

“Traditional authorities, Assemblies and communities are urged to facilitate access, resolve right-of-way issues, protect materials, prevent vandalism and illegal connections, observe electrical safety and pay bills promptly,” he said.

The Deputy Minister also urged residents to protect project infrastructure and desist from vandalising electricity installations or engaging in illegal connections, warning that such acts could undermine the benefits of the investment.

Mr Gyan-Mensah subsequently handed over the project sites to Arvensis Ghana Limited on behalf of government and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, formally launching the Turnkey Project under REIP in the Central Region.

“On behalf of Government and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, I formally hand over the project sites to the contractor and launch the Turnkey Project under REIP in the Central Region,” he said.