MORE COMMUNITIES TO ENJOY ELECTRICITY (PAGE 31, JAN 12, 2010)

Electricity is to be extended to 4,000 more communities in the country over the next four years under the rural electrification programme.
The Minister of Energy, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, who announced the plan during a visit to the Material Management Unit of the ministry in Tema, said this year the government would pursue a vigorous policy of rural electrification to accelerate rural development.
He indicated that funds for the programme had already been provided, noting that current challenges in the energy sector were being handled to enable consumers to enjoy regular supply.
Dr Oteng-Adjei said at the close of last year, 65 per cent of Ghanaians enjoyed electricity and he was hopeful that within the next four years, supply would be extended to cover 85 per cent of the population.
He noted that by 2020, Ghana would have attained a 100 per cent access to electricity.
The minister stated that some communities which had not been connected to the national grid had been provided with solar power and that, he said, would be extended to other areas.
He said his visit was to ensure that materials were made available for the projected programme and take note of what was needed in that direction.
The items the minister inspected included containers of meters, a consignment of transformers and other electrical equipment.
He advised officials at the unit to take good care of the equipment and ensure their maximum security to prevent pilfering.
The minister and his two deputies were conducted round the unit by Mr Gabriel Quain, the Director of Power at the ministry.