Accra, June 20, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday swore into office the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and urged him to bring to bear on this strategic national power company effective management practices to ensure adequate and reliable energy supply as well as restore its financial viability. The CEO, Owura Kwaku Sarfo has been with the VRA for the past 26 years.
President Kufuor said he was convinced that the CEO with his rich experience and qualification had all it took to lift the Authority to new heights. The Government, he said, was determined to make sure that the VRA became focused on the core business of power generation and would equip it to do just that.
The other functions of transmission would be placed under a new Authority, President Kufuor said, adding that, the success of this arrangement would be largely dependent on how well the transition period was managed. President Kufuor therefore asked the CEO to provide the necessary leadership in this direction. He also drew attention to the need for the VRA and the Authority to manage the Bui Hydro Power to avoid unhealthy rivalry. Rather the two should complement each other and ensure effective partnership.
Owura Sarfo pledged to embark on a crusade of "renewal and re-invention" of the VRA to assure the nation of reliable power supply. He said with the present pristine generating equipment combined with thermal power plants investment and predictions of good rains, he was certain that there was going to be adequate power for the country in the next year and beyond.
President Kufuor had earlier presented the newly appointed Ghana Ambassador to South Korea, Nana Gabriel Nsiah Nketiah, with his Letters of Credence at the Credentials Hall of the Castle, Osu. He administered to him the Oath of Allegiance, Official Oath and the Oath of Secrecy. President Kufuor advised him to stay clear of any act likely to bring him into a "conflict of interest" situation. "I expect you to acquaint yourself with distinction to bring honour to the nation. You must always place Ghana first." He said he should use his skills as an astute businessman to attract more investment flow to the country through the promotion and strengthening of partnerships between South Korean businesses and Ghana.
Nana Nketiah said he was going to work to help build on the strong ties between Ghana and the Asian economic power house. He described his appointment as a mark of confidence and promised that he would not disappoint. He added that he would do everything to bring in more investors.
