Two successful Ghanaian solar energy experts, Mawuli Tse and Dr. Julius Ahiekpor, CEO of Solar Light Company and MD of CEESD respectively, have challenged government to consider awarding contracts to local solar energy-providing companies, insisting they have the required capacity to deliver.
They argue that awarding such contracts to local businesses would not only increase the government's tax revenue but also, create employment for the indigenes. The two, guests on Biz Trends TV show last Friday, decried the popular assumption that being local companies, they lack the capacity to deliver, resulting in their(solar energy contracts from government) being awarded to companies owned by foreigners who tend to send chunk of their profits to their home country.
They further stated that considering the import duties paid on items to facilitate their work, it is only right to also be awarded such contracts to balance their books.
They made the pronouncements in response to a question posed by Enyonam, host of the Biz Trends TV Show which airs on GHONE TV every Friday at 5:30 pm.
In Ghana, about 29% of the population is still not connected to the national grid; with solar energy capacity making up a little over 0.03% which is mostly found in private homes. The country is still considered dark with relatively high electricity costs.
The benefits of solar power should motivate Ghanaians, especially the government to embrace the emergence of solar energy and make it an integral component of every domestic and commercial project.