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Thirteen farming communities in the Central Gonja District in the Savannah Region have been connected to the national grid as part of efforts to open up the area.
The beneficiary communities include Nekpegu, Zomlampe, Torope, Dokope, Kpatinyan, Darivogupe, Bagpe, Dawunipe, Diwurupe, Larigbani, Mammudupe, Sankaupe, and Nyinyape.
The project, executed by Ila Engineering Company Limited, forms part of the government’s broader agenda to extend electricity access to all parts of Ghana.
At a joint commissioning ceremony held at Nekpegu last Saturday, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, said the electrification project would significantly improve livelihoods, enhance education, and support small-scale businesses in the area.
“The Savannah Region is among the lowest in the country. To ensure equity, we must work hard to bring the region up. While the country’s average is about 90 per cent, this region is around 68 per cent,” he added.
Mr Jinapor pointed out that access to reliable electricity would empower households to enjoy modern conveniences and enable businesses to operate more efficiently.
While reaffirming the government’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access, he urged residents to pay their electricity bills promptly to support the sustainability of the power sector.
The Managing Director of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), John Okine Yamoah, commended the contractor for the quality of work done and urged residents to take ownership of the infrastructure.
He said, “Electricity is not just about lighting; it drives development and improves livelihoods.
As a utility company, we will take over operations and maintenance of the network, but this is a shared responsibility. Communities must help us maintain it.”
He advised the residents to promptly report faults to NEDCo for resolution instead of tampering with the electrical network.
The Managing Director of Ila Engineering Company Limited, Sumaila Mohammed, explained that the project commenced in 2016 but stalled due to a shortage of materials.
“We recently received the needed materials and completed the project within a short period. We ensured quality work so that residents can fully benefit,” he said.
The Presiding Member of the Central Gonja District Assembly, Iddi Kamil, commended the government for extending electricity to the communities, describing it as a “dream come true.”
He said, “Previously, residents had to travel long distances to access electricity services. Now, with power at their doorstep, they can start small businesses and improve their livelihoods.”
He assured NEDCo of the community’s cooperation in safeguarding the electrical infrastructure and pledged that residents would promptly report any faults or tampering incidents.
