We Will Make Ghana an Energy Economy

The Minister of Energy, Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah, has inaugurated the nine-member Board of Directors of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in Accra.

Mr. Dapaah said that to achieve the Golden Age of Business there is the need for massive flow of investment capital into the country. He said to meet this objective there should be adequate and reliable energy at affordable price which is critical to drive the industry and service sectors.

He told the board members that "our success as a country in attracting foreign direct investment to create the wealth that we crave for will depend upon the efficiency of the Electricity Company of Ghana."

The sector Minister said that his ministry would soon develop an 'Energy Economy' that would ensure a reliable supply of high quality service, which would benefit both the rural and urban communities as well as industries and businesses.

He said that, as part of the government's commitment to alleviate poverty and to make the rural environment a haven for investment, over 2000 rural communities will be electrified.

Mr. Dapaah assured the board that the government would not attempt to interfere with their activities, adding that they are expected to discharge their duty beyond expectation.

He noted that the board had been appointed at a time when the energy sector was encountering structural challenges.

He said that the imbalance in demand and supply of electricity had resulted in the importation of power but the deterioration of electricity supply created bottlenecks.

He noted that the general perception of the public was that the company had engaged in corrupt practices leading to inefficiency in its management. He therefore called on the board to address the issue in the shortest possible time.

The Minister advised the management of ECG to focus attention on the rural community in order to provide opportunities for productive use of energy in remote areas.

The Chairman of the Board of ECG, Professor George P. Hagan said that while the urban demand for electricity has to be met, the rural communities should be given priority to enhance education and economic opportunities.

He said that the major task for the board is to formulate a plan that would make revenue collection simple, efficient and transparent, adding that the board would not tolerate corruption and any form of malfeasance.

The Managing Director of ECG, Mr. Fred Asante assured the general public that the company was implementing measures that would improve revenue collection.

Members of the Board are Professor George Hagan, Chairman, Nana Darkwa Woe II, Ms. Aurore Lokko, Mr. R.A. Basoah, M.P for Kumawu, and Mr. Robert Attah businessman.

The rest are Mr. Peter Kpordugbe, Consultant for Rural Development, Mr. Frimpong K. Asafo-Adjei, a lawyer, Dr. Selby Ashong-Katai, and Mr. Fred Asante.