The government, through the leadership of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, has commenced a nationwide rehabilitation and installation of modern, energy-efficient streetlights aimed at enhancing public safety and supporting economic activity after dark.
The initiative seeks to promote night-time economic growth while advancing Ghana’s transition toward a greener, more productive 24-hour economy.
Implemented in partnership with the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Ministry of Local Government, and other key stakeholders, the project marks a major milestone in the President’s drive to operationalise the government’s 24-hour economy vision.
Speaking at the launch and official handing over of the project site to the contractor, Grey Oak Ventures, the Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, said the initiative would cover all regional and district capitals across the country.
He emphasised that the project is designed to extend productivity beyond daylight hours by ensuring safer night-time movement, longer business operations, and greater community confidence.
“The 24-hour economy is about sustaining productivity even after sunset, and street lighting is central to achieving this goal,” he stated.
Gyan-Mensah explained that the project consists of two main components — the Grid Street Light Rehabilitation and Installation Project and the Solar All-in-One Installation Project.
While the grid-based system targets regional capitals and ceremonial routes, the solar installations will be deployed in off-grid areas to ensure nationwide coverage.
“So far, the Greater Accra Region has received about 3,000 streetlights, in addition to those installed by the regional administration. Other regions, including Central and Eastern, have also received their allocations, which are being distributed to various MMDCEs,” he revealed.
He further noted that in the coming months, the Ministry, in collaboration with its partners, would oversee the installation and rehabilitation of thousands of energy-efficient lighting systems across Ghana.
The Deputy Minister urged all stakeholders to take collective responsibility for safeguarding the installations against theft, vandalism, and neglect.
“This project will not be left solely in the hands of the Ministry. The Police, MMDCEs, and community members must take ownership. Any faults or tampering should be reported to ECG for the southern sector and NEDCo for the northern zones,” he cautioned.
He added that the government would fund operations and maintenance for the first two years, after which local assemblies would assume full responsibility for their upkeep.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ms. Linda Ocloo, lauded the initiative, describing it as a timely response to the growing infrastructural and service demands of the region.
She said the project not only improves the aesthetic appeal of cities but also enhances safety and extends socio-economic opportunities beyond daylight hours.
“This project aligns with the President’s Resetting Agenda, which seeks to accelerate national transformation through strategic investments,” she noted.
Ms. Ocloo also urged contractors to deliver with professionalism, diligence, and timeliness, assuring that her office, together with the Ministry of Energy and other relevant agencies, would closely monitor progress to ensure value for money and excellence.
Finally, she called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, as well as citizens, to take active steps in protecting the installations.
“Theft, vandalism, and illegal connections undermine public investments. These streetlights belong to all of us—protecting them is a shared responsibility,” she stressed.
