The Catholic Diocese of Yendi in collaboration
with Energiebau Sunenergy Ghana, Energiebau Germany, and Schott Solar AG Germany has installed solar systems to Sambule, Wenchiki, Kaani, Kuni, and Wapuli Clinics in the Northern Region.
Also connected are the CHIPS compounds in Saboba/Chereponi and Gusheigu Districts, and the Yendi Municipality, all at a cost of 50,000 Euros.
The Yendi Catholic Diocese Development Co-ordinator, Mr William Abakasi announced this during the commissioning of the Wapuli Clinic solar system at Wapuli in the Saboba District.
The Co-ordinator indicated that religious differences do not exist when
it comes to human life, and that even though the project was initiated by the Catholic Diocese of Yendi, the solar panels installed so far were on the basis of need rather than religious considerations as the clinics belong jointly to government and the church.
Mr Abakasi expressed the hope that the collaboration with Schott Solar AG will be strengthened and expanded to include other essential areas such as rural schools and non-formal educational and literacy groups in the
remote villages.
The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba who commissioned the project, said the Catholic Church's collaboration with
Germany has gone a long way to strengthen the government's relationship with Germany and other non-governmental organisations.
Mr Mabengba stated that it has also strengthened the existing relationship between Dagombas, Konkombas and Chakosis by providing them with a common solar energy system in their communities.
He said the Catholic Church is not only into the field of education but also in health and agriculture. He called on the communities benefiting from the solar panels to take good care of the projects to enable the clinics to
keep their vaccines and other drugs in safety.
Mr Mabengba said the government is making all efforts to extend the national power grid to all parts of the country, and commended the Catholic Church for taking the initiative in providing the solar system to the
clinics.
Schott Solar AG Germany's Director of Exports and Sales to Africa and the Middle East, Mr Martin Gorn, said the production cost of solar modules and manufacturing costs of PVs are not only important for their sustainability, but also very important for developing countries in Africa.
Mr Gorn said the reduction in the cost of the solar energy system has
made it possible to render an affordable service for the rural hinterland and private households.
He said the company Schott Solar AG Germany, has been producing long lasting solar modules for the past 50 years.
He said the company continues to supply solar modules to Germany, Italy, Africa, and Middle East among others.
The Saboba District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr John Adolf Ali, said apart from Saboba, the District Capital, only Demon and Sambuli are currently enjoying electricity in the district.
Mr Ali said extending solar energy to the Wapuli Clinic is indeed welcome news because sunshine which is the main source of power, is
unlimited in the north.
He indicated that it is a clarion call for government to take practical steps towards diversifying the country's energy source because for cottage industries and domestic use, solar energy is the best.
The DCE thanked Energybau Germany, Energybau Sunenergy Ghana, and Schott Solar AG. Germany for bringing the project into fruition.
The Saboba District Director of Health Services, Madam Joana Quarcoo, said the installation of the solar power systems to the health facilities in Saboba, Chereponi, Gusheigu and Yendi, coupled with the donation of
refrigerators, bulbs and other electrical accessories, was a huge motivation for the entire health staff and the local communities as a whole.
Madam Joana indicated that the coming of the Solar power has afforded the clinics the much needed electricity to attend to the sick and labouring women at nights instead of the lanterns which were been used, and to store
vital drugs such as anti-snake serum throughout the year.
She said it has also come to relieve the health staff of frustration, high cost of gas and sometimes shortages of the gas to run the fridges to maintain the potency of vaccines.