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Government to double electricity
capacity of the country by 2012-President Kufuor
Abetifi (ER), April 8, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor
has announced government’s intention to double the present
national electric power supply from 2000 megawatts to about
4000 megawatts within the next five years to help resolve
the electricity crisis facing the nation.
He said his administration was much concerned about the
current electricity shortfalls and its likely impact on the
economy and was doing all it takes to resolve the problem
with concrete solutions that would ensure that the problem
never recurs.
Addressing a grand durbar of chiefs and people of Kwahu at
Abetifi in the Eastern Region on Saturday, President Kufuor
dismissed claims that government was being insensitive to
the electric power problem facing the people.
He said those peddling such claims failed to inform
themselves about the facts on the ground and serious actions
that have gone into procuring for the nation additional
energy sources so as to resolve the problem.
President Kufuor said government has since 2001 initiated a
number of projects among which is the West African Gas
pipeline project to help shore-up the energy needs of the
country in line with the decision for accelerated
industrialization.
This efforts includes a recent loan sought from the Chinese
government towards the construction of the Bui Dam, which he
said, would start in June this year.
He said resolving the energy crisis was part of a larger
effort being made by the government towards empowering the
people for improvement in their standards of living.
Complementing this effort, was the huge investments being
expended in the road sector, he said and asked the people of
Kwahu to continue to have faith in the Government and assist
in the implementation of projects such as the Millennium
Challenge Account programme, which is expected to take off
in the area soon.
President Kufuor commended the people for initiating an
educational fund and expressed government’s support in this
regard.
In response to an appeal by Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng,
Omanhene of Kwahu, President Kufuor directed the Ministry of
Local Government to start work on proposals to elevate the
Nkawkaw Township to a municipal status.
To a rapturous applause, President Kufuor also announced
government decision to upgrade the faltering water system on
the Kwaku ridge and rehabilitation works to be carried on
the Atibie Nkawkaw road.
The durbar however, suffered a setback when rains
accompanied by pounding winds that suddenly erupted midway
into the President’s speech thus sending invited guests
running helter shelter.
The rain however, did not dampen the desire of the people to
launch an Educational Fund with a target of two billion
cedis to help support needy but brilliant students in the
area and also help improve on educational facilities in the
area as leading businessmen from the area had already
pledged several millions of cedis by the time the rains set
in.
In a welcoming address, Daasebre Boateng expressed the joy
of his people to government for acceding to their request to
change the name of Afram Plains District to Kwahu North.
While commending President Kufuor for the honour he has
brought to Ghana for his sterling performance on the African
landscape, he reiterated the request of the people for the
water problem on the ridge to be dealt with expeditiously.
GNA
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