Akosombo, April 27, GNA - Mr Kwaku A. Awortwi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of the Volta River Authority (VRA), has assured Ghanaians that plans were far advanced to increase the current, 60 percent access of electricity, to 90 percent in the next five years. He said in many West African countries, where electricity access average were less that 30 percent compared to Ghana's percentage of 60 percent, VRA saw enormous potential for growth, and great prospects for those utilities that were efficient, competitive and competent. Mr Awortwi said currently the access to electricity in the urban areas was 70 percent and for rural areas it was little above 30 percent, adding that, this would increase soon, based on the expansion of the rural electrification project.

Speaking at the Open Day, as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary ceremony of the construction of the Dam, Mr Awortwi assured that they would do all they could to make their services accessible to every Ghanaian.

The CEO said the establishment of the VRA set the foundation for newly independent Ghana's economic and industrial policy. He announced VRA's readiness for a deregulated electricity market where there was likely to be keen competition.

Mr Awortwi said VRA's position was not to prevent competition but to position itself to thrive and become even more successful in the emerging new environment.

He said the discovery of Oil and Gas in commercial quantities had set a good fortune for the authority in that it would be used to fuel VRA's thermal plants and this would make the cost of electricity production lower for all.

Further more, the CEO said the formation of the West African Pool, aimed at interconnecting the sub-region, would ensure improved availability of electricity and economic growth for all. "I have no doubt in my mind that over the next fifty years, in the emerging competitive environment in Ghana and the opening of the West Africa sub-region, through the West African Power Pool, the VRA would play a vital role in the continued socio- economic development of the country and have a huge impact on the wider West African sub-region." he emphasized.

He assured consumers of a new commitment to power the economy, bring value to lives and raise the living standards of the people.