The Indian community in Ghana has joined with Ghanaian philantrophists in sponsoring the deployment of solar street lights in several villages across the country.
The project forms part of the celebration of Diwali, the Indian festival of light.
The initiative, led by IPMC Chairman Amar Deep Singh Hari, has received support from several businesses, including Nankani & Hagan, M&G Pharmaceuticals, Kane-Em Industries, DPS Group, Poly Group, Link@, Moti Mahal Restaurant, RSKC Foundation, Tropical Cables, among others.
Some of the villages which have benefitted from the project include Dondoli, Kumbienhe, Kabanya in Central Wa; Brada and Tornu in North Dayi, Kusele, Vapour, Tuopare, Puffien and Ketuo in Nandom and some villages in the South Tongu constituency.
Each village received several solar streetlights with components including poles, mounting brackets, 300 watts LED Solar light with battery fixtures and remote controls.
The chairman of IPMC, Amardeep Singh Hari stated that the first phase of the project project is targeting 500 villages at an approximate cost of 7.5 million Ghana cedis and aims to improve safety, economic activity and night time study in the beneficiary communities.
“The Diwali festival celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil,” he says. “By providing these solar street lights in different villages, we are not only banishing pitch darkness but hoping to stimulate the economy and raise living standards.”
Mr. Hari expressed appreciation to members of the Indian community and his Ghanaian friends who have so far contributed to the project and called for others to join in.
Meanwhile Members of Parliament Maxwell Lutukor (South Tongu), Richard Kuiire (Nandom) and Jocelyn Tetteh (North Dayi), have expressed gratitude for the initiative.
“The people are really happy and grateful for these streetlights. Their lives no longer come to a standstill with each sunset and now they are capable of working, studying and even socializing at night. These are some of the things we take for granted in the cities but ask the real value of even one street light to those who do not have any”, said Hon Maxwell Lukotor.
For his part, Hon Richard Kuuire said: “My heartfelt thanks to IPMC and the Indian community in Ghana. I pray that more Ghanaian philantrophists will contribute to spread this initiative in many villages across all regions”.
If any donors or beneficiary community representatives, MPs and District Chief Executives wish to participate, they may do so by writing to sales@ipmcghana.com