VRA Reaffirms Strong Commitment to Corporate Social Reponsibility
he Volta River Authority (VRA) remains resolute in its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which continue to be a core element of the Authority’s operations, according to Board Chairman, Mr. Kofi Tutu Agyare.
Speaking at the VRA's 14th Annual Stakeholders' Interface held in Accra, Mr. Agyare reaffirmed the Authority's focus on CSR while presenting an overview of its operational and financial performance for the year 2023. The event, akin to an annual general meeting, serves as a platform for VRA to engage key stakeholders, including sector ministries, regulatory agencies and industry partners.
Mr. Agyare detailed several CSR initiatives which were implemented by VRA in the year 2023 to improve the livelihoods of people living in communities impacted by its operations and to promote sustainable development. Among these efforts is the Authority’s Community Development Programme (CDP) Scholarship initiative which has awarded financial aid to 60 brilliant but financially challenged students from impacted communities, with a total investment of GHS 1 million.
In addition to educational support, VRA also made strides in environmental and health-related projects. The Authority restored access to clean water for the Aveyime community, conducted extensive surveillance on the Oti arm of the Volta Lake to manage aquatic weed infestations, and signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of Health and Allied Sciences to support research on Schistosomiasis management in the Volta Basin.
Mr. Agyare emphasized that by integrating social and environmental concerns into its core operations, VRA aims to generate long-term value for both the Authority and the broader society. “These initiatives are aligned with our mission of contributing to national development beyond our primary mandate of power generation,” he noted.
The Board Chairman also provided an update on the Authority’s operational performance, revealing that VRA’s market share had risen from a projected 46.39% to 54.05% by the end of year 2023. Although slightly down from the 55.6% recorded in 2022, the rise demonstrates VRA’s steady leadership in an increasingly competitive energy sector. He attributed the rise to the Authority's commitment to upholding rigorous quality standards and implementing performance metrics, which drive continuous improvement and innovation.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of VRA, Mr. Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to delivering sustainable and innovative power solutions. He highlighted several upcoming projects aimed at expanding the Authority’s energy capacity. These projects include the 16.5MW Pwalugu Solar Project, expected to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2025, and the 25MW Akuse Floating PV Solar Project, expected to be operational by June 2025. A 75MW Wind Power Project is also slated for commissioning in December 2026.
Additionally, the repowering of the 132MW T3 Plant in Aboadze, along with the expansion and conversion of the Kpone Thermal Power Station (KTPS) into a combined cycle plant, were among the key initiatives outlined as part of VRA's strategy to diversify its generation portfolio.
Present at the event were the Minister for Public Enterprises, Hon. Joseph Cudjoe; Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon. Collins Adomako-Mensah; Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon. Dr. Stephen Amoah; Director General for State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Mr. John Boadu; Members of the VRA Board and Management team.
Also present were representatives from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ghana Audit Service and Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy.
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