A 50-megawatt land-based solar power plant, targeted at fostering industrial growth and enhancing energy resilience in the country, has been commissioned at Galgu in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region. 

The facility, worth about $59 million, is spearheaded by the Bui Power Authority ( BPP) in collaboration with the Grid Company Limited, and financed by First Sky Limited under an engineering, procurement, construction, and financing agreement. 

The solar power plant, operated by harnessing sunlight and converting it into electricity, would be fed directly into the national grid. 

Mr Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, Chief Executive Officer, Bui Power Authority, speaking during the commissioning of the facility at Galgu, said it was to expand sustainable power generation and to reaffirm the government’s commitment to increasing renewable energy to 10 per cent of the country’s energy mix by 2030. 

The ceremony was also used to commission the Grid Company Limited’s building, another layer of the facility, which would help evacuate the power generated to other sub-stations of the  BPP. 

Mr Dzamesi said the solar plant would not only support Ghana’s climate goals by reducing dependence on fossil fuels but also help to address the energy needs, particularly in the northern part of the country. 

He said it would help create more employment opportunities in the area whilst at the same time enhance more reliable and cost-effective electricity supply into the national grid. 

He added that local businesses would be stimulated, and new investments would be attracted to the region, and urged residents to own the facility by protecting it. 

Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern Regional Minister, who was represented by Alhaji Hammed Abubakar Yussuf, Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, was optimistic that the facility would stimulate sustainable socio-economic growth and development to further consolidate the peace in the Dagbon Traditional Area. 

Meanwhile, prior to commissioning the facility, Mr Dzamesi and other dignitaries paid a courtesy call on the Ya-Na Abukari (II), Overlord of Dagbon at his palace in Yendi to commend him for providing a 140-acre land to enable the construction of the facility in the area. 

Ya-Na Abukari (II) commended the BPP and partners for the initiative, and pledged to ensure that the facility was protected to enable it achieve its intended purpose for the area. 

Journalists have been urged to investigate the use of stumpage fees paid to communities in timber logging areas to ensure locals benefit from the timber business.

Under the Timber Resource Management and Legality Licensing Regulations of 2017, timber contract holders are required to contribute 5 percent of stumpage fees toward the development of communities within their operational zones as part of a Social Responsibility Agreement (SRA).

Mr. Daryl Bosu, Deputy National Coordinator of A Rocha Ghana, emphasized that the media should track whether these contract holders honour their SRA commitments and determine if the funds are being used for the actual benefit of the community members.

He made the call during a presentation at a training for journalists in Accra on Forest Management, Carbon Markets, and Revenue Mobilization.

The two-day training was organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) as part of the “Tax for Development” project, which is funded by NORAD through OXFAM in Ghana.

The training aimed to equip journalists with the knowledge to report effectively on issues related to forest and biodiversity conservation, environmental and climate protection, and the livelihoods of local communities.

Mr. Bosu also highlighted that Ghana loses 2 percent of its 266 Forest Reserves annually, equating to approximately 2.6 million hectares of protected forest areas.

He pointed out that illegal mining remained a significant threat to the country’s forest resources, jeopardizing both biodiversity conservation and water resource protection.

“The more journalists are able to project the issues at it is, the better communities are able to understand and take action,” Mr Bosu said.

Ghana is one of the few countries in Africa to develop a comprehensive Carbon Market Framework – an initiative that seeks to unlock investments to create green businesses and provide jobs.

Mr. Daniel Lamptey, Principal Programmes Officer, Environmental Protection Agency, said the Carbon Market framework was one of the ways to mobilise funding from the private sector to implement conditional climate actions.

He appealed to the media to shed light on Ghana’s carbon office and the opportunities for the private sector to help increase participation and raise funds to undertake critical climate interventions.

Ms. Rosemond Ebi-Adwo Aryeteey, Senior Programmes Manager, MFWA said the training empowered journalists to understand the technical issues relating to carbon market and forest management to enable them support awareness creation on the topics.

“Our expectation is that with all that has been shared by the facilitators, the participants have gotten new ideas to pursue impactful stories to improve our forest management and enhance our climate actions,” she said.

Fidelity Bank, Ghana’s largest privately-owned indigenous bank, has hosted a dinner and awards ceremony to recognise the contribution of its agency banking network.

The event, held at Wesley Towers in Accra, was the culmination of regional award ceremonies in Tamale, Kumasi and Takoradi to celebrate the pivotal role of agents in providing banking services to the unbanked and underbanked.

A statement copied to Ghana News Agency said the bank saw over GHC two billion in deposits through its agent network and transactions valued at over GHC 20 billion in October, since the start of 2024.

Mr. Kwabena Boateng, Deputy Managing Director for Wholesale Banking, reflected on the strides made in financial inclusion over the past decade.

“In the past, millions of Ghanaians were excluded from financial services. Today, thanks to the remarkable dedication of our agents, we have brought banking into homes, workplaces, and communities,” he stated.

He praised the agents for their commitment to bridging the financial gap in remote and underserved areas, helping Ghanaians access banking services with ease.

Mr. Godfred Attafuah, Director of Channels and Sales, lauded the success of Agency Banking, highlighting its positive impact on employment and income generation.

He said Fidelity Bank would prioritize the needs of agents and foster stronger collaborations for the future.

Outstanding agents were awarded at the event. Categories included Best Attendant, Best Territory Agents, Outstanding Long-Service Agent, and the coveted National Award.

At the national level, Brillin Top Enterprise from Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, defended its title as the Overall Best Agent for 2024.

S-Duah Enterprise from Kumasi, secured its third consecutive award in second place, while Khofhay Ventures from Berekum came third.

Dr. David Okyere, Head of Agency Banking at Fidelity Bank, highlighted the bank’s initiatives designed to enhance agent and customer experiences.

“We are introducing groundbreaking programmes, such as the Cash Advance programme for agents, optimized collections processes, alternative withdrawal service channels at agent points, and an upgraded Smart Account opening system,” he noted.

He said the bank was committed to improving services, enhancing customer satisfaction, and ensuring the success of its agents.

Starting with 24 agents in 2014, Fidelity Banks Agency Banking, the first of its kind in Ghana, has expanded to over 9,000 agents nationwide, with agents contributing over two million during the period.