VRA CELEBRATES 50YRS OF EXCELLENCE

The nation’s leading power generator, Volta River Authority (VRA) has turned 50 years this year, with the resolve to deregulate the power sector of the economy by allowing private companies or individuals to come in and invest.

VRA’s posture is not to prevent competition but to position itself to thrive and even be more successful in the emerging new environment; Chief Executive of VRA, Mr. Kweku Andoh Awotwi, said this in a statement read for him at the VRA’s Open Day event held in Tamale.

According to him, with Ghana’s discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantities, the cost of producing electricity could be lower for consumers if the gas is used to power or fuel the company’s thermal plants.

Further citing the formation of the West African Power Pool, Mr. Awotwi said it aims at interconnecting the sub-region to ensure improved availability of power and the economy for all in the region. “In a West Africa, where electricity access averages less than 30%, compared to Ghana’s current access of 60%, VRA sees enormous potential for growth, and great prospects for those utilities that are efficient, competitive and competent”, he observed.

The VRA Boss charged employees of the company to be more performance-oriented and customer-focused. “To our competitors, present and prospective, we welcome you all. The growing pie is big enough for all of us to participate in. To our electricity consumers, we renew our commitment to power the economy, bring value to your lives, and raise the living standards of our people”, Mr. Awotwi stated.

The Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority also paid glowing tribute to all those who in diverse ways contributed and made sacrifices to the Authority’s continued existence. He particularly acknowledged local communities and traditional authorities who allocated lands and property, so that the people of Ghana could enjoy electricity.

Established in 26^th April, 1965 by Ghana’s first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the VRA has been the major source of supply of electricity to almost all Ghanaians and other neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso and Togo.

The establishment of the VRA set the foundation for newly independent Ghana’s economic and industrial policy. It is the reason why Ghana is the electricity leader in West Africa today, in terms of electricity access for the people.

Currently, aside the Akosombo Dam, Ghana has other sources of energy that have been developed in recent years by previous and current regimes which include the Kpong Dam, Takoradi Thermal plant and Tema Thermal Plant.

Meanwhile, as the journey for the next 50 years begins, most Ghanaians are asking for a drastic reduction of electricity tariff while those who are not connected yet, hope to get it in few years time.