President Akufo-Addo has taken a swipe at the former president John Dramani Mahama, saying that his government will continue to work hard to keep the lights on and that the Akufo-Addo government leaves “dumsor” for the ex-president Mahama and his erstwhile administration.
During the commissioning of the newly constructed Accra Central Bulk Supply Point on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that his administration remains dedicated to ensuring a consistent power supply and in making certain that the era of dumsor is left behind.
“I want to reassure all of you that my government will continue to work towards keeping the lights on in spite of the global dynamics of energy pricing, because the alternative is not an option.
“We are not going back to dumsor, we leave that to President Mahama. I am convinced and confident that our nation is no the right path despite our challenges and with God on our side, I have the firm believe that we shall succeed in this enterprise” President Akufo-Addo said.
“The project we are commissioning today is 161 kilo volts bulk supply point which delivers on government’s commitment to keep the lights on. It also guarantees stable, reliable and regular supply of electricity for the busy and bustling business district and surrounding areas,” President Akufo-Addo added.
Focusing on the project, President Akufo-Addo said the “bulk supply point is a gas insulated sub-station which is Ghana Grid Company’s (GRIDCo’s) first sub-station with such technology”.
The president said the substation “is an innovation in technology applied in areas where spaces are significant and limited, where large capacity switch care and transformers which are compact can be installed”.
“The benefits of this Accra bulk supply point, among others, are: one, to reduce transmission and distribution losses; two, ensure high reliability of electricity supply; and three, ensure high level of personnel safety,” the president said.
“Now with the operationalisation of the Accra Bulk Supply Point, power voltages have become stable, protecting valuable equipment, power supply reliability has improved and with this, efficiency has been insulted, reducing system losses as required by the regulator, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission,” he added.
The project, funded through the Japanese international development agency, JICA, is estimated to cost roughly US$40 million. President Akufo-Addo registered the appreciation of the government and people of Ghana to the government and people of the Kingdom of Japan for their kind gesture.
“This project could not have become a reality without the generous grant from the Japanese government and its external agency, the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA), without Japanese technology and technological assistance. This project is an excellent illustration of the strong co-operation between the Republic of Ghana and the Kingdom of Japan which we cherish,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ghana, I extend deep appreciation to the Japanese government and the Japanese consultants, the joint venture of Yachiyo Engineering Company Limited and West Japan Engineering Consultancy Incorporated, the main contractor, the main contractor, the Japanese joint venture of Mitsubishi corporation, Hitachi Plant Construction Limited Yurtec Corporation for the efforts and continues corporation and contribution to Ghana’s development and growth,” President Akufo-Addo added.
The country representative of JICA, Ms Suzuku Momoko, and the Japanese ambassador to Ghana, Mochizuki Hisanobu, also made statements signalling that the Japanese government is delighted to offer its support to Ghana in the power sector.
