The Chief Executive of GRIDCo Ing. Frank Otchere and Deputy Chief Executive, Ing. Abdul Samed Ibrahim, together with some Management staff joined the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Deputy Managing Director, Ing. David Asamoah and Director of Engineering, Ing. Mrs. Jacqueline Ofori-Attah, on a courtesy call to the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, to discuss the implementation of the Eastern Corridor Electrification Upgrade Project, which will extend from Ho to Asiekpe.
The project is expected to strengthen electricity infrastructure and improve supply reliability along the corridor, benefiting communities within the Central Tongu, Akatsi North, Keta, and Anloga districts.
During the engagement, Hon. Gunu reaffirmed the Volta Regional Coordinating Council’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the project. Commending GRIDCo’s Chief Executive, Ing. Frank Otchere, he assured the project team of the Region’s full cooperation stating, “If you need the support of the region and the District Chief Executives, let us know what is needed through the MCEs and DCEs, and we will make it available.”
The Volta Regional Minister also emphasised the need for the project to create employment opportunities for local communities, stating: “We are asking for opportunities for jobs for our people in the area. When we recommend people, we still expect them to work and contribute meaningfully. We can help identify people in the communities to support the project so that together we can succeed,” he said.
Ing. Frank Otchere expressed appreciation to the Volta Regional Coordinating Council for hosting the formal launch of the project and participating in the site-handover exercise. “You have been welcoming and very supportive. As you have said, we are moving into action,” he noted.
Providing an update on project readiness, GRIDCo’s Director of Land Management, Ing. Bismark Anane, explained that the project will be implemented in two phases: the construction of a substation and the development of the transmission line right-of-way (RoW). He noted that affected persons have been identified and will receive fair compensation as part of the land acquisition process.
Ing. Anane added that support from the District Chief Executives would be crucial in facilitating access to the project corridor, while route studies and other preparatory activities are completed.
On the issue of site access, Ing. Otchere underscored the need for immediate access to enable work to commence, while assuring stakeholders that all obligations, including compensation processes, would be honoured. In response, Hon. Gunu encouraged the project team to move forward with implementation while addressing challenges collaboratively as they arise. “We can’t solve all the challenges before you have access to the site. Let’s start the work and resolve the challenges as we move along,” the Minister advised.
The Minister also called on GRIDCo to establish an operational office in Ho to strengthen collaboration and ensure faster response to issues affecting the Region. “The collaboration is needed to improve the state of affairs, and the first step is establishing an office in Ho,” he said.
Also present at the meeting were Ing. Bismark Anane; Senior Project Advisor, Consultancy and Engineering (SpACE), Ing. Papa Kojo Mensah; Project Monitoring and Evaluation Engineer, Ing. Alberta Mukaronda; and the Akosombo Area Manager, Ing. Job Aziaku. Representing ECG were Deputy Managing Director, Ing. David Asamoah, and Director of Engineering, Ing. Jacqueline Ofori-Atta.
The meeting reinforced the strong collaboration between GRIDCo, ECG and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council as work begins on a project expected to improve power supply and support socio-economic development along the Eastern Corridor.
