Gov’t achieved fastest mobilisation of emergency power in Ghana's history - President Mahama


President John Mahama has said his government has achieved the fastest mobilisation of emergency power in the history of Ghana.

He said about 800 megawatts of power has been added to our generation within the shortest period of time. He said the finalisation and commissioning of KTPP added 220 megawatts, the commissioning of TICO’s combined cycle added 110megawatts then Karpower added another 220 megawatts.

Delivering his last State of the Nation Address in parliament on Thursday, President Mahama said that AMERI is also adding 250 megawatts extra power to our transmission grid in addition to 180 megawatts from Asogli Phase 2 as soon as extra gas is made available for it.

He therefore, commended the former minister of Power Dr. Kwabena Donkor and the deputy minister for Energy John Jinapor for their commitment and hard work towards resolving the energy crisis.

President Mahama said 80.5 percent of Ghanaians now enjoy access to electricity. This he said compares significantly with the 58 percent access to power in 2008.

President Mahama also revealed that Cabinet has improved the Millennium Challenge Compact and its $498 million grants will provide a major boost in addressing energy efficiency problems and improving access to electricity.

According to the President, he intends making Ghana a hub in the sub-region for petroleum distribution.

He said already BOST (Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation) has begun supplying petroleum products to the landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali from their Bolgatanga depot.

President Mahama also said local firms and personnel have benefited from the local content law passed by Parliament in connection with the oil and gas sector.

He said government in 2013 formulated the local content and local participation policy and at the moment approximately 7,000 people have been employed in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry - 5,590 Ghanaians and 1,350 expatriates.

He said out of the 474 companies registered with the Petroleum Commission, 321 are indigenous companies and 46 are joint ventures. 

Out of the total value of 6.3 billion contracts awarded, from 2010 to 2015, over $1 billion have gone to indigenous companies.

He said as of the third quarter of 2015, $201,072,000, representing 41 per cent of a total of $792,623,000 worth of investments for the year has been awarded to indigenous companies.

GBC