JICA ASSISTS GHANA TO IMPROVE POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

The grant agreement between the Governments of Ghana and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for the Project for Improvement of Power Distribution System, amounting of 1,686 million Japanese Yen (approximately 16.97 million USD), was signed on 6th May, 2013. Participants included Hon. Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Naoto Nikai and the Chief Representative of JICA Ghana Office, Mr. Jiro Inamura.

Ambassodor Naoto Nikai said in his speech 'Through this project, I am hopeful that not only the living standards of the people at these areas will be improved but also that it will enable them to utilize the electricity provided for agricultural and industrial development.'

The objective of the Project is to improve power distribution through the reduction of distribution loss and improvement of power supply reliability to enhance the economic growth and the improvement of the living conditions of people in Ghana.

The renewal of power systems and equipment in Ghana has been insufficient coupled with an increase of electricity demand and aging of power supply equipment. Under the project, there will be an installation of a new 34.5kV sub-transmission line in Tamale (Northern Region) and new 11.5kV distribution lines in Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region). The direct beneficiaries will be a population of 114,000 and indirect beneficiaries will be a population of 675,000, and which include the people who use the medical facilities and schools. Total estimated beneficiaries will be population of 789,000. The project will be completed in 2015.

Japanese Ambassador Naoto Nikai and Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Hanna Tetteh signing the grant agreement