Solar system for homes in rural communities unveiled

A solar power system to offer affordable and convenient energy for rural communities under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme has been unveiled in the Eastern Region.

Rasaboat Limited, a private entity, is rolling out the programme in partnership with all the district assemblies in Ghana to design and sell a complete solar powered home system including a television set, radio, fan, bulbs, mobile phone charger and a mosquito repellent at a cost of 2,000 Ghana cedis.

The package would be on hire purchase and payment would be spread for a maximum of 24 months.

Ms Mavis Frimpong, the Eastern Regional Minister, who launched the programme at New Abirem, said the region was the first in which the project was rolled out and that government had embraced the programme because of the huge benefit it would have on rural communities.

She said government recognised solar energy as a complement to boost energy generation as well as the role of the private sector in partnering government under the PPP.

Ms Frimpong urged the district assemblies to ensure that households in the districts which had no lights were helped to be able to purchase the complete package that included everyday needs of a family as far as power was concerned.

Mr Paul Aboagye Dadzie, the New Abirem District Chief Executive, said apart from providing rural communities with affordable power, jobs would be created by training and employing several youth in the communities as installers and repairers of the system.

He said the assembly had began awareness creation and sensitisation of the communities to realise the full benefit of the solar powered home system and assured the people of the assembly’s support

The Abiremhene, Nana Amo Kyeretwie, described the system as timely adding that it would reduce the pressure on the national grid as well as reduce cost involved in getting connected to it.

He thanked the Government for the intervention and urged the people in the rural areas to embrace the solar energy because the package was good to improve the wellbeing of rural folks.