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Officials of the Economic Office and the Commercial Service of the United States Embassy in Ghana have paid a familiarization visit to West Africa’s only solar manufacturing plant, owned by Strategic Power Solutions (SPS). The visit among other things was to familiarize themselves with the operations of the manufacturing plant and to discuss areas of collaboration between the Economic Office and the Management of SPS.

The delegation from the Economic Office comprised Mr. Jimmy Mauldin, Chief Economic Officer and Mr. Benjamin Burnes, Economic Officer and Mr. Frank Ansong, Senior Commercial Specialist from the Commercial Service.

The Chief Executive Officer, of Strategic Security Systems International Limited (3SiL,  parent company of SPS Nana Oheneba Ofori Boateng who took the officials round explained that  through SPS, the company had contributed immensely to improving the lives of rural dwellers especially in cocoa and sheanut producing areas. Mr. Boateng added that SPS’ rural electrification project has provided about 1.2 million solar torch lights to farmers across cocoa, sheanut and coffee growing areas in Ghana. In addition to this, SPS has installed approximately 29,000 solar street light units so far across all cocoa and sheanut growing districts in the catchment areas of Northern Ghana.

Nana Oheneba Ofori Boateng informed the delegation about SPS’ plans to improve national electricity supply by partnering with the Bui Power Authority to build a 50MW hybrid plant. The delegation was further informed that since the Bui Dam was a peaking plant, it was necessary to have a hybrid system consisting of solar and hydro to enable solar power generation during the day and hydro power generation at night. The company also used the opportunity to announce an upcoming 50,000 solar street light initiative in Sierra Leone.

The Chief Operating Officer of 3SiL, Mr. Joseph Otoo explained the various components of the solar panel manufacturing process and indicated that all solar panels are produced in strict accordance with certified international standards. The visit by the delegation follows the launch and gradual implementation of a Power Africa Initiative and the passing of the Electrifying Africa Act by the United States Congress.

With Ghana’s national access to electricity currently estimated at 80%, the United States Embassy lists the power and electrical supply sector as a viable sector for investment by US companies. It is believed that the visit would pave the way for capacity building, investment opportunities, provision of technical and other opportunities for SPS and its activities.