The Millennium Challenge Corporation, United States Agency, has commended the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) for the successful execution and completion of all the projects under the Ghana Power Compact II programme.
The successful completion of the MCC-Ghana Power Compact II programme brings in total over US$860Million investments in Ghanaian economy by United States Government through MCC’s compact programmes since 2012.
“In MCC’s global portfolio, the partnership with Ghana stands out as one of the few countries that has now completed two compacts amounting to nearly $860 million in grant dollars toward projects to boost inclusive economic growth.
“With the first $547 million compact in 2012, MCC and the Government of Ghana raised farmers’ incomes through private sector-led agribusiness development and major public works projects in Accra, notably the emblematic George W. Bush stretch of the N1 Highway. Today, these projects are benefiting 100,000s of Ghanaians (est. 1.2 million).The success of this first Compact has led us here today, to celebrate the unprecedented milestones of the second $316 million MCC-Ghana Power Compact,” Mahmoud Bah, Deputy CEO of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) told section of Ghanaian journalists at a breakfast meeting in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Explaining the impact the compact has made in the Ghana’s power sector, Mr. Mahmoud Bah said: “With the construction of two BSPs (the two largest of the country), two primary substations and other IT investments, the MCC-Ghana Power Compact has increased the transmission network capacity by 1,015 MVA representing roughly 10% of Ghana’s total transmission capacity and has successfully enhanced the country’s power sector.”
Ghana signed the Power Compact II in 2014 during the John Mahama administration.
The Power Compact II programme led to the implementation of comprehensive projects including construction of Pokuase and Kasoa Bulk Supply Points, University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) Primary Substation and Ellen Moran Primary Substation in Kanda, IT Management systems at ECG, energy efficiency programs, capacity building and gender integration in the power sector.
Other projects executed under the Compact were the Air Conditioner and Refrigerator Test Laboratory at the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the first of its kind in West Africa to promote renewable energy sources and curtail the country’s use of low-quality, less energy-efficient equipment, installation of more than 14,000 new, energy efficient LED streetlights and new metered energy management systems, replacement of old, inefficient lighting and setting a new standard for energy savings, rewiring of some selected markets, internship program for more than 300 female students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at leading energy sector institutions; and over 600 female STEM students participating in mentoring and training for professional growth and development.
The compact also helped the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) adopt a gender policy, action plan and new targets for greater female employee recruitment and promotion.
The compact officially ends on June 6, 2022
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
