By Abdulai Zulkaninu | July 21, 2026
The Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition and Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, has commissioned electricity projects in eight communities in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region as part of the government’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
The Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Be-Awurebi; the Municipal Chief Executive for West Gonja, Hon. Yakubu Yussif Castro; the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor; and other government officials, traditional leaders and stakeholders attended the commissioning ceremony. The beneficiary communities include Seyiri, Kpiri Frafra No. 1, Kpiri Frafra No. 2, Kpiri Frafra No. 6, Attributo No. 1, Attributo No. 2, Cathedral, and one additional community under the electrification programme.
As part of the visit, Hon. Gyan-Mensah and his delegation paid a courtesy call on the King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, at the Jakpa Palace. He thanked the Overlord for his warm reception and assured him that the Savannah Region would continue to receive major development projects under the government’s development agenda.
The Deputy Minister stated that President John Dramani Mahama’s “Big Push” initiative places significant emphasis on rural electrification, with 159 communities in the Savannah Region expected to benefit from expanded electricity access. According to him, the project will stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare delivery, enhance educational outcomes and strengthen security in beneficiary communities.
He noted that Ghana currently enjoys approximately 90 percent electricity coverage, making it one of Africa’s leading countries in electricity access. However, he acknowledged that several rural communities remain unconnected, stressing that the government’s target is to achieve 100 percent national electricity coverage by 2030.
Hon. Gyan-Mensah further disclosed that the government has earmarked GH¢2 billion for electricity expansion under the first phase of the Big Push programme, covering the Savannah, Central, Oti and Volta Regions. Out of this allocation, more than GH¢600 million has been dedicated to the Savannah Region, where 107 communities will be connected to the national grid under signed contractual agreements.
He added that the Self-Help Electrification Project (SHEP) is also ongoing in other communities, bringing the total number of beneficiary communities in the Savannah Region to over 159. He observed that with the region’s electricity coverage currently estimated between 50 and 60 percent, the intervention is expected to significantly bridge the electricity access gap.
The Deputy Minister also announced that the government’s solar street lighting programme is progressing steadily, with several communities across the Savannah Region expected to benefit in the coming months.
At the Jakpa Palace, Hon. Gyan-Mensah, together with the Savannah Regional Minister and the West Gonja Municipal Chief Executive, officially launched the Savannah Regional Electrification Project in the presence of the Yagbonwura and members of the Gonja Traditional Council.
Speaking at the event, Savannah Regional Minister Hon. Salisu Be-Awurebi said the project would address the persistent electricity challenges in the Eastern Gonja area while expanding power supply across the region. He said the initiative demonstrates President John Mahama’s commitment to correcting historical development disparities by extending electricity to underserved communities.
He praised the President, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, and all stakeholders for their commitment to the project, while urging contractors to execute the works with diligence and within schedule to ensure timely completion.
After the launch, the delegation moved to Seyiri and Kpiri Frafra No.2 to commissioned the communities to electricity signifying a new level of improved lifestyle for the eight communities
The Hon Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency Samuel A Jinapor recalled that he project commenced in 2023 and has been completed by John Mahama administration. This signifies that when we work together we will grow our communities.
The programme was attended by officials of the Volta River Authority (VRA), NEDCo, regional and constituency executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), traditional authorities, youth groups, and representatives of various state institutions.
