The Government of Ghana has commissioned some electricity extension projects under the Rural Electricity Acceleration and Urban Intensification Initiative (REAUI) which extended electricity to eight previously unserved communities in the West Gonja Municipality of Savannah Region.
The initiative, which was initiated under the previous administration and is now being implemented by the current government, seeks to accelerate access to electricity in underserved rural communities across the Savannah, Volta, Oti and Central regions. As part of the launch, eight communities, including Seyiri, Kpiri, Frafra No. 6 and Jebito, as well as electricity extension works in Damongo Azurekura, Damongo Atributo No. 1, Atributo No. 2, and the Damongo Cathedral area were officially connected to the national electricity grid after years without electricity.
The commissioning ceremony brought together the Managing Director of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), John Okine Yamoah; the Municipal Chief Executive for Damongo, Hon. Yakubu Yussif Castro; the DCE for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Hon. Saaka Sinkina, the Savannah Regional Minister Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe, the Deputy Minister for Energy Hon. Richard Mensah Gyan, and the Member of Parliament for Damongo Hon Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy energy minister, Richard Mensah Gyan said the REAUI is designed to bridge the electricity access gap between urban and rural communities by extending power to areas that have remained unconnected to the national grid.
He noted that reliable electricity will improve healthcare delivery, education, economic activities and the general living conditions of residents in the beneficiary communities.
“We assume electricity connectivity to every where has given life to the people and that will also propel the needed development that we need either for education, job creation, investment or agricultural processing “.
The Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency Hon. Abu Jinapor in his address described access to reliable electricity as a critical catalyst for development, noting that it improves livelihoods, supports businesses, enhances education and healthcare delivery, strengthens security, and creates opportunities for economic growth. He said the completion of the project would make a meaningful difference in the lives of the beneficiary communities and further accelerate development within the constituency.
He added that when a community works together, and when the NDC and NPP work together, it is the community that benefits, noting that this is exactly what Damongo has demonstrated.
For some residents, the connection to the national grid represents a major relief after years of challenges.
Speaking to spear fm, Leticia, a community member, expressed appreciation for the project, saying residents can now finally enjoy electricity and charge their phones without having to travel long distances to access power.
“We thank the government very much for giving us the opportunity to see light and most especially to our MP Abu Jinapor for this historic moment. We use to go to Sawla to charge our phones but now I think we can now charge our phones in our homes”.
She added that, the development would bring convenience to households and create new opportunities for businesses and young people within the community.
The Rural Electricity Acceleration and Urban Intensification Initiative forms part of Ghana’s broader efforts to increase electricity coverage and promote inclusive development by extending power to communities that have remained without electricity.
