Government launches GH¢598m project to connect 211 Central Region communities to national grid

The Government of Ghana has initiated a GH¢598 million rural electrification project to connect 211 communities lacking electricity in the Central Region to the national grid. This project, part of the Rural Electricity Acceleration and Urban Intensification Initiative (REIP), is a component of the government's "Big Push" programme aimed at expanding electricity access to underserved areas nationwide.

During the launch of the project at the Gomoa Ajumako Paramount Chief's Palace, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring universal access to electricity, regardless of a community's location.

Gyan-Mensah highlighted the government's targeted regional strategy, with the Central Region, Savannah, Oti, and Volta selected as priority areas for the upcoming four years. Under this initiative, Arvensis Ghana Limited has been contracted to extend electricity supply to the 211 communities spread across 22 districts in the Central Region.

The completion of this project, expected within six months, will be overseen by the Energy and Green Transition Ministry, which will monitor the project's progress to ensure it meets quality standards and is delivered on schedule.

The electrification project is expected to contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the beneficiary communities, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, businesses, agriculture, and job creation. Gyan-Mensah assured residents that the Ministry would closely monitor the implementation process to ensure timely and quality delivery.

He also urged traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, as well as beneficiary communities, to cooperate by facilitating access, resolving right-of-way issues, protecting materials, preventing vandalism, and paying bills promptly.

In a symbolic gesture, the Deputy Minister formally handed over the project sites to Arvensis Ghana Limited, representing the Government and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, marking the launch of the Turnkey Project under REIP in the Central Region.