NPP’S INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE COMMENDS MD OF ECG (MR. KWAME AGYEMAN-BUDU) FOR INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP

The appointment of certain persons from the External Branches (Diaspora) of the NPP and Ghanaian citizens by H.E Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo, President of the Republic of Ghana to key positions in his administration has cemented the place of the party’s branches abroad as an important constituent made up of people with enormous skills and experiences who are contributing to the development of the country. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo’s decision to include some members of the external branches of the NPP and Ghanaian citizens abroad in his government as a deliberate policy to tap into their skills and experiences and also to recognize the contribution of the party and in the development agenda of the government cannot be swept under the carpet especially, as some of those given the opportunity have distinguished themselves and deserve commendation by the International Affairs Directorate of the Party.

It is instructive to state that while almost all appointees from the external branches of the party are competently performing the functions of their office with alacrity to the admiration of the President, the National Chairman, the General Secretary, the Party and concerned observers, the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Mr. Kwame Agyeman-Budu’s innovative leadership and proficient management of the state power distributor has caught the attention of the International Affairs Directorate and the External Branches of the party as a whole. Under the leadership of Mr. Agyeman-Budu, the ECG has seen a tremendous transformation and rejuvenation in the operations of the company. Innovative ideas and technologically driven operational procedures at the ECG, has resulted in effective, efficient and reliable power supply for domestic and industrial use in Ghana. Currently, the ECG is emerging as one of the few state entities leveraging technology and innovative management practices to realign its operations for a responsive and better service to the people of Ghana.

As an energy expert, Mr Agyeman-Budu, trained in the New York Institute of Technology with over 38 years of managerial experience in the energy industry is blazing the trail and justifying the vision of the President to exploit the ingenuity of Ghanaians in the diaspora. Specifically, the introduction and implementation of the following policies and interventions at the current ECG make the International Affairs Directorate and the External Branches proud:

1. Introduction of ECG Power: in Ghana now, electricity consumers with smart meters can purchase credit, make a top up, check the rate of power consumption and report faults to the company for prompt action via a mobile application. The innovation has eased the burden on customers whose credit gets finished deep in the night and those who stay far away from vending points. Most of the customers with smart meter no longer go through the bitter stress of queuing to purchase credit.
2. A $ 33 million Pokuase Bulk Supply Point to ensure reliable power to parts of Accra under the MiDA compact agreement is underway. The vital infrastructure is required for improved electricity distribution to support the socio-economic development of the country.
3. Over GHC 40 million being spent to ensure reliable power supply to the people of Kumasi and Ashanti region in general.
4. The use of technology to detect and isolate faulty areas for prompt attention as a mechanism to ensure stable power supply and to put an end to unwarranted power outages.
5. Implementation of the social relief to electricity consumers announced by the President. The good intention of the President offers free electricity to lifeline consumers and 50 percent to all categories of consumers including industry to offset any hardships and loses occasioned by the COVID 19 pandemic currently which ravaged the global community. The extent to which beneficiaries enjoyed this package through an automated addition of the 50 percent of March consumption to credit purchased which started in the month of May has received plaudits by consumers.
6. The pursuit of technology to end the incidence of power theft which is a major obstacle affecting the finances and operations of ECG over the years. From domestic to industrial use, power theft is currently reducing with an incentive to those who report such misdemeanor to the company. Very soon, the menace will be nib in the bud with the deployment of technology.

The policies and project being executed to improve operations and augment infrastructure of the company is intended to ensure improved operational efficiency and capability to meet the domestic and industrial needs of power consumers in the country. It takes leadership to rally the intellects and energies of workers, investors and development partners to achieve this vision and feat being witnessed by the ECG under Mr. Agyemang-Budu. The man is known for his humility, responsiveness, hard work, generosity, patriotism and respect for divergent views in all aspects of the company’s technical and social culture. He understands the dynamics in the sector and how collective effort anchored on technology and commitment to service provide the necessary solutions to deal with such an intricate business of ensuring constant and reliable power for the economic and social progress of Ghana.

The International Affairs Directorate and the External Branches in general commend the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana for justifying the confidence repose in the expertise and abilities of the members in the diaspora for national development. We equally commend and appreciate the President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for reaching out to those in the diaspora and entrusting leadership to over hundred (100) External Branch Executives. Members and Ghanaian citizens in the Diaspora. The other distinguished External Branches (Diaspora) who also performed exceptionally are: Michael Ernest Ansah (CEO, Ghana Integrated Aluminum,), Nana Agyei Yeboah (CEO, Student Loan Trust Fund), Prince Sefah (Deputy Director Genral-Operations, NCA), Kwame Prempeh (Deputy CEO, National Procurement Authority), Hayford Atta-Krufi (CEO, National Pension Regulatory Authority), Akwasi Awua Ababio (Director of Diaspora Affairs, Jubilee House), Alexander Yaw Adusei (CEO, Keta Port), Aisha Salifu (Deputy CEO, Zongo Development Fund), Jullie Essiam (Ag. Commissioner, Support Service Division, GRA), Kofi Tontoh (Head of Information, Ghana Embassy Washington-USA), Frederick Kofi Ameyaw (Head of Information, Ghana Embassy New York-USA), Kwame Kyeretwie-Amponsah (Assistant to MD, ECG), Eva Andoh-Poku (MD, NTHC Properties Ltd), Fred Asamoah (Executive Director, COTVET) etc. The party (NPP) in the diaspora will remain supportive of the President and his vision for the country. Under the International Affairs Directorate, the External Branches will continue to contribute our quota in whatever form to ensure a resounding victory in the 2024 elections. The International Affairs Directorate urges members of the External Branches to remain calm and take a cue from the shining example of Mr. Budu (One of the finest External Branch Organizers in the history of the Party) and others who are performing creditably in the current administration so that when their time comes, they will distinguish themselves to give cause for the the External Branches and the Directorate to celebrate them.

Congratulations to Mr. Kwame Agyemang-Budu, Managing Director of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for your distinguished service to mother Ghana and the New Patriotic Party.

Kudos our indefatigable MD, we celebrate you !!!