'129 streets fixed with lights in 50 days' – Greater Accra Minister pledges more action

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ms Linda Akweley Ocloo, has expressed satisfaction with the installation and repair of streetlights in several parts of the region, describing it as a major step towards improving security and visibility in the capital.

According to the Minister, malfunctioning streetlights on 129 streets have been fixed within the first 50 days of her tenure, in line with her commitment to ensuring that 70 per cent of Accra’s streetlights are fully operational. 

She said the well-lit streets now include the George Bush Highway, Independence Avenue, Nima Highway, Professor J.E. Atta Mills Highway, 28th February Road, and the ACP Pokuase Interchange.

Announcing the progress at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, Ms Ocloo highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing security and promoting safe urban mobility.

“Generally, the implementation has been successful in many areas, with numerous roads and highways now well-lit, improving security and visibility for residents,” she said in an interview with the Ghanaian Times.

She assured the public that despite the milestone, work would not stop until the entire city was well-lit. “Even though we have met the target, it doesn’t mean that from today we are relaxing. We have to make sure that we complete everything,” she stated.

However, she noted that some key roads, including the Tema Motorway and the Accra-Tema Beach Road, remained unlit due to ongoing construction works.

“There are maintenance works on streetlights on portions of the N1 (Tetteh Quarshie to Kasoa), N6 (Achimota to Amasaman), and N4 (Shiashie to Oyibi) by the Ghana Highways Authority, and the contractor is on-site with works ongoing,” she added.

Streetlight cable theft a major challenge

Despite the progress, Ms Ocloo raised concerns over streetlight cable theft, describing it as a major challenge affecting the sustainability of the project.

She warned that anyone caught engaging in such acts would face severe consequences and urged the public to be patriotic by protecting public infrastructure.

“This act poses a major setback for the sustainability of the streets remaining lighted. I appeal to all citizens to be patriotic and safeguard public infrastructure,” she stated.

She also cautioned advertisers to seek the necessary permits from Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) before putting up billboards to prevent disruption to underground cables supplying power to the streetlights.

Funding to ensure long-term maintenance

Ms Ocloo emphasised that additional funding had been allocated to MMDAs to help sustain streetlight operations, ensuring that Accra remains well-lit and secure.

On behalf of municipal coordinating directors in Accra, Mr Daniel Nkrumah, the Municipal Coordinating Director for LaDMA, commended the Minister for her dedication to improving urban lighting.

“Working within the confines of the law, we will continue to support the Minister to ensure the satisfaction of every citizen,” he assured.

The Minister, accompanied by the Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, Mrs Lilian Baeka, and other municipal officials, later toured parts of the capital to inspect the newly installed streetlights.