An integrated solar system was commissioned on 1st February, 2022 at the Kasunya (Akuse) Halfway Home site. It involved
i) the installation of a robust, high-powered pumping machine churning out clean underground water at a rate of 250L/min.
ii) a new 20,000L capacity poly-tank in addition to the existing 5000L tank for water storage and distribution.
iii) pipe works for domestic (in the residence and ancillary buildings) as well as irrigation of the 107acre land-holding of PMG at the site.
iv) pre-determined and prepared junctions for additional storage and distribution tanks at various locations on the site, as conditions may require for optimal land usage for farming purposes.
v) power for illumination and other domestic uses to the residence, compound and out-buildings.
The system substantially improved upon our existing infrastructure. The Ministry completed the electrical wiring and fittings/fixtures of the residence, preparation of the grounds, construction of the structural base for the solar installations as well as security fencing of the (expensive) installations.
Funding and technical support of the entire solar project was made available by DENG Ltd (lead facilitators), Bofam Foundation, and GIZ German Cooperation under the “Green People’s Energy” programme. The donations amounted to over GHC 150,000.00. Prison Ministry of Ghana is indeed grateful.
The rationale of the event was aptly summed up by Ing. Felix P. Quansah, Chairman of DENG Ltd. & Bofam at the commissioning ceremony:
“Ensuring discharged prisoners can have their lives again and with Christian living and work ethics can only be so beautiful, and indeed just and fair to the beneficiaries, who under the circumstances would be stigmatized and marginalized in our context of society”.
The commissioning of the project was done by Lawyer Sam Okudzeto, member of the Council of State and founding Chairman of PMG. In attendance was an array of dignitaries including Prof. Joe-Nat Clegg-Lamptey (Ag. Chairman, PMG), Rev. Prof. Kwamena Sagoe (Dep. National Leader, PMG), Mr. Alfred Ayer (National Treasurer, PMG); DOP Hanson Adu-Awuku (Director, Agric), DSP Rejoice Adzakpa (2IC, Akuse Female Prisons), DDP Godwin Hoyenedzi (OIC, Akuse Male Prisons) represented the Ghana Prisons Service, our major partners in the Ministry. Mr. Kofi Cornelius (Managing Director) led a team from DENG Ltd., accompanied by Ing. Felix P. Quansah and supporting staff. GIZ (Green People’s Energy) Programmes Manager, Mr. Rafael Wiese and his team were in attendance. PMG National Office staff as well as ground staff at the Home, including Ghana Noni operatives led by the Centre Manager, ex-WO1 Eric Larweh and Mr. Charles Ayi completed the PMG group. Media representation was available. The District Assembly was also represented by Hon. Jonathan Kwabla and Tong-Kurug Kenneth.
The tape on the installations was jointly cut by Messrs. Okudzeto, Cornelius, Wiese and Quansah.
SHORT VIDEO OF THE COMMISSIONING
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZg1oiUsi-L/?utm_medium=copy_link