Accra, July 9, GNA - The Ministry of Energy had carried out feasibility studies for the extension of electricity to Ehiamenkyene and Bepoase communities in the Fanteakwa District of the Eastern Region. The ministry intends to consider the electrification of these communities under the SHEP-four phase-one programme, which is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2004.

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Energy said this in Parliament on Wednesday in an answer to a question asked by Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, NDC- Fanteakwa as to what steps his ministry is taking to extend electricity to the communities in the Fanteakwa Constituency. Dr Nduom assured the MP that Ehiamenkyene and Bepoase would be connected to the national grid when the programme is completed since they are important economic and farming centres.

In an answer to another question by Hajia Mary Salifu Boforo, NDC-Savelegu who wanted to know when the electrification project in the Savelegu Constituency under the SHEP-Three programme would be completed, Dr Nduom said the provision of the high and low voltage networks is in progress and work is expected to be completed by the end of 2003. He said Mogulaa and Taripah communities form part of the on-going SHEP-Three Phase-Three project and that Kouldanali and Sugu Tampia communities are not included in any of the SHEP programmes, but the communities may however, apply to join it if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Volta parliamentary caucus donate towards University Fund

Accra, July 9, GNA- The Volta Regional Parliamentary Caucus on Wednesday donated over 50 million cedis towards accelerating the development of the Evangelical Presbyterian University Fund. The amount forms part of contributions made by the 19 members of parliament for the establishment of the first university in the Volta Region.

Mr Modestus Ahiable, Chairman of the parliamentary caucus who made the presentation in Parliament House in Accra said the members believed that knowledge was power and that any effort towards ensuring the success of education would continue to receive support from them. He said the donation was therefore, an appreciation of the efforts of the EP Church and wish to lend their support towards the early opening of the University.

Mr Ahiable said members were hopeful that the establishment of the first university would not only lead to opening of more universities as well as the dream of establishment of the first and only female university in the country to be established in the Volta Region. He said members were concerned and expressed the hope that many more campuses of the University would be opened in various parts of the region to serve a broad section of the people.

The Very Reverend Japhet Y. Ledo, Chairman of the of the EP University Fund Raising Committee and former Moderator of the EP Church who received the donation commended the members for supporting the initiative of the Church to ensure a University was established in the region.

He said the establishment of a University in the Volta Region was not a luxury since there were several tertiary institutions whose students have to struggle to gain admission in other universities or drop-out of school.

Very Reverend Ledo gave the assurance that the establishment of the University would not be solely for the use of members of the EP Church but that all other students from other religious organizations who qualify would be admitted.

He said the postponement of the opening of the University was due to the delay in the launch of the national programme this year but was hopeful that the University would be opened at the beginning of the next academic year next year for academic work to begin.