GRIDco to upgrade transmission line
The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDco) would in the coming months change its transmission lines from Tema, Ghana’s largest energy hub, to Accra, the biggest power consuming enclave.
Mr William Amuna, GRIDco Chief Executive Officer (CEO) stated this while addressing the third Biennial Congress of GRIDco Senior Staff Association (SSA) in Ho.
He said the upgrade would enable the lines carry bigger volumes of power from the hub, as new producers join the sector and older companies increase output.
It is expected to rise from 678 megawatts to 2, 800 megawatts within next year.
Mr Amuna said all squatters would be removed when works to change the transmission lines begin.
The GRIDco CEO also announced that the Company would in due course establish a ‘Centre of Excellence” in Kumasi, in collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Korea to train technical staff at all levels.
He said the Centre would be opened to other organisations within and outside Ghana.
Mr Amuna touched on effort towards improving output-skills update, fluid and transparent management worker communication, improved incomes, congenial work environment, staff welfare with stress on regular health checks and safety among others.
He said the vision of GRIDco is to be a model, promising “nobody in management will do anything to put workers welfare at bay”.
Mr Amuna said while management would keep an open door policy, it expects the dialogue method and not the outdated worker- militancy approach.
“As a company, we have a vision of being a model electricity grid company guided by our Values of Responsiveness, Integrity, Safety, Excellence and Caring,” the CEO said.
Mr Amuna said the last three years have been very challenging times for the Company as a result of the electricity shortfall.
He however noted that the situation has improved.
“We are not completely out of the woods yet, though there has been an increase in generation, we still face the challenges of fuel supply security and the fast receding levels of our lake reservoirs, which feed our hydroelectric dams due to poor hydrology,” Mr Amuna said.
He said the company has problems with cash flow and revenue dip as a result of lack of power to transmit although it remains afloat.
Norbert Dzamposu Anku, Outgoing Chairman of the Association urged management to encourage the training of staff and improve on remuneration.
Mr Anku said the three-day meeting, on the theme: “Delivering quality electricity service in a very challenging tariff regime and its impact on GRIDco’s operations,” would elect new officers and issue a communiqué to management.
Wing Commander Samuel John Allotey (Rtd), Human Resource Manager said the meeting would keep a high level of staff engagement to stimulate a sense of belonging among them.
Source: GNA