Siamekome Island community receives sunlight

The Australian Aid Program has installed a 15kw solar panel in Siamekome, Central Tongu District, Volta Region.

The AUD 40,100 project was carried out by Ronna Engineering through the Lift Us Foundation, an NGO focused on providing walking aids to people with disabilities.

Siamekome, which for decades had no electricity, has since June 2022 been lit by streetlights and electricity thanks to the benevolence of the Australian government’s aid program.

During the handover ceremony on August 4, 2022, Mrs. Harriet Williams, Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission in Ghana, said that an important objective of the direct aid program was to promote the economic empowerment of women and gender equality.

She said that with access to electricity, women in the fishing community could have access to refrigeration facilities to store their fish and other perishables for household consumption and sale.

Ms Williams said the project would also lead to increased trade and economic activity for the community, helping to build a stronger and more resilient community.

“We are all aware of the important role of education in fighting poverty and improving health and equality on all fronts. Unfortunately, the lack of electricity in Siamekome has been a hindrance for children who struggle to keep up with their homework after dark,” she added.

Mr. Fred Duhoe, Journalist and Director of the Lift Us Foundation, expressed his gratitude on behalf of his team and the people of Siamekome to Mr. Gregory Andrews, the former Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, and his government for their support after watching his report. .

He called on the government to reduce the costs associated with acquiring licenses for the establishment of NGOs in the country.

“NGOs exist to complement government development efforts. Bureaucracy and high cost are barriers to realizing such dreams,” he said.

Central Tongu District Chief Executive Mr Thomas Moore urged the children on the island to make good use of the investment and focus on their studies.

Adidome’s Dufia, Togbe Agyeman Kakaklolo V, called on private investors to explore opportunities on the island.

He said investments in tourism could help develop the district’s local economy.

“The people of Siamekome can now charge their cell phones and other electronic gadgets while the children study at night,” he said and expressed his gratitude to the benefactors.