SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE HON. MINISTER OF ENERGY, DR. JOE OTENGADJEI,ON THE OCCASION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE
VOLTA RIVER
Your Excellency the Vice President, Mr. John Dramani Mahama
Mr Chairman
Members of the Council of State
Honourable Ministers of State present
Honourable Members of Parliament
Chairman and Members of the Board of VRA
Nananom
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Management and Staff of VRA
Distinguished Invited Guests
The Press
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon to all. It is an extraordinary pleasure to join you to mark the 50th
anniversary of Volta River Authority.
It is an honor and privilege to be part of this gathering as the sector Minister for the
government clearly understands that the rate of economic growth and job creation is
directly linked to the success of VRA and the other agencies involved in the provision of
electricity in the country. In this regard, we are here to celebrate this historic moment,
acknowledging that your history in the electricity industry is very interesting and
motivating.
Now, let me be honest. Birthdays or anniversaries are not unusual. Everybody has them
and at the same rate as everybody else - once a year. They happen whether you want them
to or not. Believe me, I know. I've had quite a few and looking around this gathering I can
see it's the same for others as well. So why are we here?
It's not to celebrate the inevitable passage of time but something more. Everyone has
birthdays but not everyone is my friend, Volta River Authority. VRA, you are unique. And
today I'm gladly putting aside my grumbles about birthday speeches, balloons, presents
and hats, to honor you. VRA, you've reached the 50 milestone. 50 anniversaries, that's a
whole lot of living; enough to establish the character of a corporate man, and to know who
the entity is. And I've known VRA through about 30 of them and oh boy, you have an
enviable character.
First of all let me join the teeming Ghanaians and other well wishers worldwide to wish you
happy 50th Anniversary. I also wish to express, on behalf of the current generation, our
profound gratitude to the founding architects whose vision established the VRA as the most
critical platform for our industrialization and economic development.
Mr Chairman, permit me to express my heartfelt admiration for the wisdom and untiring
effort of our Founder, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah for his singular vision in creating an
energy sufficient economy in Ghana. I am also delighted to note that subsequent
generations have been able to build on this vision.
I therefore recognize and applaud the many pre-eminent achievements that the Authority
and its dedicated workforce have chucked in the past fifty years. These bright
achievements provide assurances that the future holds more promise for Ghana. With each
passing day we are drifting closely to our founding fathers dream of industrialized Ghana
anchored on an assured, dependable and reliable power supplier.
For half a century now, VRA has been on the vanguard in power generation with enviable
safety records. It has been successful beyond the wildest imagination of its remarkably
foresighted founders. Without exaggeration, over the past 50 years, hundreds of thousands
of jobs have been created because VRA has supplied electricity to industries where these
people work. Take a trip to the generation sites of VRA and you will immediately observe
that there are no expatriates – only Ghanaians! This is remarkable!
Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to acknowledge the yeoman’s role of the following
former CEOs:
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Casely Hayford
Kobina Kalitsi
Ato Ahwoi
Now, we mark this anniversary with a measure of sadness, as we remember the
extraordinary life of Mr Gilbert Dokyi and all others who have passed away.
Ladies and Gentlemen, so what about the next 50 years! Fifty years ago the Authority was
relatively small with staff strength far less than it is today. Back then, the biggest challenge
was to supply power to a population less than ten million. If you could supply power to
areas around Accra and Tema in particular, you were ready to pat yourself on the back for
a mandate well executed.
Mr. Chairman, in this era of increasingly globalized competition and proliferation of new
technologies, VRA would have to compete for space, and justify their existence through the
quality of services delivered. It is only through guaranteed quality and reliable power
supply to the citizens and businesses that will induce them to graciously accommodate
demands for higher tariffs. Definitely the population also needs to understand that quality
services come with a price.
Today, even a constant supply of sufficient power doesn't guarantee a pat on the back.
Power generation companies are being quizzed on daily bases on how environmentally
friendly their activities are and at what price is the power produced. Thus, it has become
very imperative to identify ways in which we can generate power in an environmentally
sustainable and affordable manner.
Colleague Engineers, now, on this historic occasion of the 50th anniversary of the VRA, we
should bear in mind that we must look into the past to learn from the lessons of history,
and ensure that we do not stray from the path to progress in the future. VRA, as a key
player in the energy, must eliminate complacency and promote hard work.
Mr Chairman, the next 50 years will bring its share of challenges when it comes to
electricity generation, transmission and distribution. The truth is that our growing
economy and complex society will defy simple solutions. But amid such uncertainty we can
be certain of one thing! That VRA will be there, playing a leadership role in devising
solutions that benefit our customers, our economy and population as a whole.
We can and should be proud of VRA, a crown jewel of the energy industry. So on this 50th
anniversary of the VRA, let's use the momentum, the memories and the lessons of the past
half century to guide us through the next.
Mr Chairman, We believe there is no power greater than the power of the dreams and
ideas within VRA today. Fifty years from now, when VRA is celebrating its 100th
anniversary, maybe the current CEO of VRA will be standing here and telling the story of
how your multi-billion dollar company started with an idea at the kitchen table in his
office. Your dreams are not only the engine behind the Ghanaian economy today, but the
essence of the Better Ghana Dream. The God of Heaven will give us success, so let us arise
and work together to build a better Ghana for the future generation. This is our calling and
can never fail!
Thank you.