To this effect, the wholly owned VRA Subsidiary whose current operations covers the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and parts of Volta, Ashanti and Western Regions will be assisted by a management team from the US government to actualise the said investment.
The idea is to boost the country’s energy sector with the view to making electricity more efficient and diversified.
The US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson gave the hint when he paid a courtesy call on the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari at his office in Bolgatanga.
The Ambassador briefed the Regional Minister on the intention of the US government to curtail the recurring power cuts, which he noted had contributed to the collapse of most businesses in the country.
Moreover, the US government is committed to improving access to electricity and make it much affordable for the ordinary Ghanaian, particularly, those living in deprived communities.
The visit by Ambassador Jackson and his team was to discuss how the said investment will work and how it hopes to impact on the socio-economic fortunes of the region.
The meeting also discussed how Ghana and the US can reinforce its long standing partnership and explore other opportunities to encourage trade and investment for sustained economic growth and development.
Other areas touched were health, sanitation, education, and agriculture.
The two also discussed collaborative research opportunities in the agricultural sector and possible areas of cooperation especially on peace and security.
Mr. Bukari also briefed the ambassador and his team on happenings in the region as far as development is concerned. He commended the US government for the support over the years.
He further seized the opportunity to update Mr. Jackson on the numerous flagship programmes rolled out by the government and called for assistance to ensure their successful implementation.
He highlighted some areas of interest and mentioned the Planting for Food and Jobs, One-Village-One-Dam and the One-District-One-Factory policies as interventions that are high on the development agenda of government taking into consideration the number of jobs they may create when fully implemented.
Present at the meeting were officials drawn from the various department and agencies under the Embassy.
They were made up of the economic team, human right, foreign trade investment and public affairs.
Also at the meeting were heads of decentralized departments and staff of the Regional Coordinating Council among other development partners including the USAID.
Mr. Jackson and his team accompanied by the minister toured some tourist sites in the region.
This is Ambassador Jackson’s first is visit to the Upper East Region since his assumption of office.
Story by GBC's Isaac Asare
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