Ghana receives grant for electricity supply

Ghana, the European Commission and Messrs Norelec of France on Thursday signed a 60.73 billion cedi grant from the European Development Fund for the extension of electricity to 110 communities in the Western Region.

The project, which is being executed under the Self Help Electrification Programme will last for four years and is expected to boost growth in commercial small-scale businesses and enhance the welfare and well being of people in communities in 11 beneficiary districts.

It involves the construction of 295 kilometres of 11 and 33-kilo volts lines, construction of 280km of low voltage lines and installation of 127 distribution substations and 9,000 customer services.

The communities are to provide 2.6 billion cedis as counterpart funding, either in cash or through supply of wooden low-tension poles.

The Minister of Finance Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo signed for Ghana while Mr Robert De Raeve, Charges D'affaires of the EU initialled for the commission.

Mr Osafo-Maafo said the EU support for the project is in line with the government's national electrification scheme, which aims to extend electricity to all parts of the country.