Energy Ministry supports 8 public universities
The Ministry of Energy yesterday presented a large consignment of varied LED bulbs to eight public universities at a brief ceremony in Accra.
The consignment was made up of 7,571 15 watt (W) LED street lights, 12,801 13W LED bulbs, 10,720 nine watt LED bulbs and 7,820 six watt LED bulbs.
The presentation was in response to a request made by the vice-chancellors of public universities for assistance in providing them with light to facilitate learning activities and enhance security on the campuses.
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Presenting the bulbs, the Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, explained that the beneficiaries put in a request to the ministry to support them to light up their respective campuses.
Energy-saving bulbs
He said the government had decided to promote a shift from the use of incandescent and other less efficient lighting systems to LEDs, in line with the its policy decision to encourage the efficient use of energy in view of the increasing electricity cost.
Dr. Prempeh said in line with that policy direction, the ministry had embarked on a nationwide energy conservation and demand-side management exercise, targeting particularly homes, light industry and strategic institutions, including schools.
“The provision of these bulbs will, no doubt, improve security on campuses at night, enhance academic activities and other night-time productive ventures, while contributing to the aesthetics of the schools,” he said.
Gratitude
Welcoming the minister and his team, the Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors Ghana, Professor Abednego O.F. Amartey, expressed gratitude to the minister for responding to their appeal.
He said the action of the minister was heartwarming because it was rare in the country for a minister who had left a ministry to agree to go back to assist his or her former ministry, adding: “But we know it is because of your love for education.”
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“Like Oliver Twist, we are going to ask for more because we know your heart is with education and so when we call on you, you will be ready to help. We are happy that you are here,” he told the minister.