By Senam Joanita Amegashie
Residents of Lawoshieme, Mamime, Hagodzi and four other communities in the Keta Constituency have received electricity for the first time, following the commissioning of a rural electrification project by the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Dzudzorli Kwame Gakpey.
The commissioning, which took place during the festive season, brought joy and celebration to the beneficiary communities, which for decades had lived without access to electricity. The lack of power has over the years negatively affected economic activities, healthcare delivery, education, and the general livelihoods of residents.
According to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), teachers and nurses posted to these communities often declined their postings due to the absence of electricity, poor road networks, and other challenges. In some cases, vehicles could not even access the communities because of bad roads and damaged bridges.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Hon. Gakpeyexplained that the seven communities are predominantly farming and fishing communities. He noted that the absence of electricity had made economic activities extremely difficult, particularly for farmers and fishermen who had no means to preserve their produce.
The MP revealed that after engaging the Ministry of Energy, he was informed that there were limited resources to fully fund the project. As a result, a cost-sharing arrangement was adopted, where the ministry supplied some materials while he personally financed the remaining items.
He further explained that the project began during the rainy season, making access to the communities very difficult. Due to the poor terrain, residents themselves paddled electricity poles and other materials into the communities. He praised the determination and commitment of the people, stating that their active involvement played a key role in making the project a success.
Hon. Gakpey emphasized that access to electricity would bring numerous benefits, including improved living standards, enhanced economic activities, and better preservation of farm and fish produce through the use of refrigerators and cold storage facilities.
The MCE also disclosed that although the communities have a Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound, it has remained non-operational due to the lack of electricity. Nurses posted to the facility have been unable to work there, but with the provision of power, healthcare services are expected to improve significantly.
A resident also noted that the community school has been selected under the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) project, which requires electricity to power machines and equipment needed for practical learning.
The commissioning ceremony was marked by jubilation, as residents sang victory songs, praised God, and expressed gratitude to the MP, the MCE, and the government for fulfilling a long-standing need.
The Hon Gakpey further assured residents that efforts are underway to fix the roads and reconstruct bridges connecting the communities to ensure safer and more reliable transportation.
