The Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu-led Board of Directors of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), has completed its work on the US$536 million Ghana Power Compact (Compact 2).
In March 2017, President Akufo-Addo inaugurated the board and charged them with the responsibility of providing oversight to the management and activities of the Millennium Development Authority.
On Tuesday, 4 October 2022, the last day of the 120-day Compact Closure Period, the board chair of MiDA, Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, led a delegation to the Jubilee House, to present to President Akufo-Addo, a report on their stewardship and to register their appreciation to the President for the opportunity to work on the programme.
“We are happy to say that a lot has been accomplished under the Compact. By the revised Compact end date of 6 June, 2022, all projects retained and prioritized for implementation had been completed, commissioned and handed over to the beneficiaries, including ECG, GRIDCo, the Ghana Standards Authority, the Energy Commission, PURC, Ministry of Education, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana, Accra Technical University, KNUST, and University of Energy and Natural Resources, among others,” Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu said before presenting the report of the Board to the President.
Projects executed
Projects undertaken following the revised Compact funding of US$347 million, according to Professor Ntiamoa-Baidu, was fully and prudently disbursed.
The projects include firstly, “two bulk supply points, in Pokuase and in Kasoa (currently the largest and second largest substations in Ghana, providing a total of 1015-megavolt amperes, MVA)”;
Secondly, “two vital primary sub-stations, with interconnecting circuits to serve electricity consumers and major health facilities, namely the 37 Military Hospital, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital at Ridge, the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Noguchi Memorial institute for Medical Research, Jubilee House, and communities in the environs of the facilities (which handle 130-megavolt amperes, MVA)”;
Thirdly, “a refrigerator and air conditioner testing laboratory for the Ghana Standards Authority (the only such facility in the West African Sub-Region) and a Low Voltage Bifurcation Project in 6 Districts of ECG’s Accra West and Accra East Regions;
Fourthly, “replacement and refurbishing work on 528km of selected streets in 20 MMDAs in Greater Accra and retrofitting of 7 major government buildings in the Ministries, including interventions at Korle Bu and at the University of Ghana”;
Fifthly, “internship for some 650 women undertaking STEM studies in various tertiary, technical and vocational Institutions in Ghana together with the establishment and resourcing of 3 SECS in selected Universities, as training centres for electricity auditing”;
Sixthly, “reviewing and passing into law of 20 Legislative Instruments for Energy sector regulations. In addition, we provided to ECG, state-of the art Meter Management and Geographic Information Systems, all of which will support efforts aimed at loss control and improved profitability”.
Fully utilised funds
“Mr. President, it is gratifying to highlight that: All the Compact funds, including some USS31 million which Government contributed as counterpart funds, were fully utilized within the Compact term,” Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu said.
“All projects were completed, at very high standards and handed over to the beneficiary agencies. Numerous employment opportunities were made available to our youth and vital skills were transferred to them.
“We are aware that the Compact’s intervention has had a major impact on the quality of power supply in ECG’s Accra East and West Regions. We trust that all infrastructure will be well managed after the Compact,” she added.
Hope for Compact 3
President Akufo-Addo, on his part, congratulated the board for executing the Compact effectively. He indicated that he is looking forward to a future Compact three with the United States government.
He added that in the event of a Compact three, he will call on the out-going Board to bring their experience to bear for same.
“The real issue before me now is Compact three, what will be the basis. I am due to travel to America soon and I will raise it at the highest levels,” President Akufo-Addo said.