New VRA holds 58th thanksgiving service

The Volta River Authority (VRA) has held its 58th thanksgiving service to celebrate its position as the flagship power utility provider in the country and beyond.

The corporate service organized at all work locations included a free tour of VRA’s installations for selected school pupils.

The event was on the theme “The New VRA, One Year On”.

Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Emmanuel Antwi Darkwa, emphasized that the anniversary forms part of a year since the ‘New VRA’ was launched with a resolution to make the Authority the future leader in power generation.

According to the VRA boss, although the passage of time is a reminder that the Authority does not have sufficient time to carry out the reforms required, “to restore us into a resilient, sustaining multi-business entity, there was the need to proceed with a sense of urgency if we are to succeed and take the market leadership that we so desire.”

Emmanuel Antwi Darkwa said efforts by VRA in maintaining market leadership continues to be on course with a significant improvement on the path of operational, financial and environmental sustainability.

He further added that the Authority has increased exports to Togo/Benin even though it still faces challenges from IPPs and self-generation in that market.

“Our exports to Burkina Faso currently at 50 MW will increase to upwards of 100 MW on the completion of the necessary grid infrastructure. Our ultimate objective is to increase our market share in Burkina Faso from the current level of 7% to 30%. This is a target that we must meet by the end of this year. It is worth noting that the Burkina Faso market is potentially our best prospect in the sub-region.” He indicated.



In addition he disclosed a possible twinning arrangement with a world class utility and strategic partnerships in order to transfer technology, operational culture and also relevant skills that are comparable with international industry standards.

While calling for the need for VRA staff to have the requisite skills to compete in the national and sub-regional power market, he posited that “We need to work our way into the top rungs of international practice and our Academy will be the vehicle for this twinning arrangement.

“As part of this we are exploring a twinning arrangement with a world class utility and strategic partnerships in order to transfer technology, operational culture and also relevant skills that are comparable with international industry standards. We need to work our way into the top rungs of international practice and our Academy will be the vehicle for this twinning arrangement.”

Mr Darkwa further maintained that this will not only strengthen and resource the Academy, it will also enable the Authority further prepare it for its role as a Centre of Excellence in the sub-region.