as demand for power increases . In line with these reforms , the government has been constructing the Pokuase Bulk Supply Point ( BSP ), which was expected to be completed by the end of July 2021 . The Kasoa BSP was expected to be completed by end of August 2021 . Further , the Tema to Achimota line rehabilitation is ongoing , while the gap in the transmission backbone between Kumasi and Kintampo is to be fixed to complete the transmission system between the coastal part of Ghana and Bolgatanga in the Northern part of Ghana . These transmission upgrades with estimated capex of US $ 533m are a big step in the right direction towards ensuring that the grid is able to accommodate the loads being transmitted . However , more is needed and it is hoped that some of the funding models discussed in this article can help fund the additional investment that is needed to ensure a bright future for Ghana .
Conclusion Closing the gap of Africa ’ s infrastructure paradox will take time and commitment . The suggested reforms referred to in this article require strong commitment and the political will of African governments , as exemplified by the Ghanaian case . African governments should seek to build on the positive experiences of other countries and regions ( for example , by obtaining the services of domestic and international advisers with the relevant structuring experience ) in line with all proposed reforms .
Too often , projects in Africa are delayed by government bureaucracy , changes in political administrations , lack of effective investment propositions to potential investors , and media miscommunication . This leads to waning levels of public support for reforms , thereby impacting on the ability of private investors to effectively plan and participate in long-term energy projects across the continent . Despite these challenges , reforms across the continent in the energy sector , as seen in countries such as Kenya , Ghana , Rwanda , South Africa , Morocco , Egypt and Zimbabwe , among others , is bringing about a new wind of change that is providing opportunities for PPAs / PPPs and other multilateral funding and capacity development arrangements . These efforts , together with the right investments , funding models and incentives for both governments and private investors , can contribute to the elimination of this infrastructure paradox . •
Footnotes
1 - McKinsey & Company , see section headed “ Closing Africa ’ s infrastructure gaps ”, Solving Africa ’ s infrastructure paradox , 6 March 2020 2 - African Development Bank , Africa ’ s Infrastructure : Great Potential but Little Impact on Inclusive Growth , 2018 3 - See footnote 2 . 4 - See footnote 1 , section headed “ Why so few African projects get funding ” 5 - See footnote 1 , section headed “ The causes of Africa ’ s infrastructure paradox ”
6 - See footnote 1 , section headed “ Actions for governments and development institutions ” 7 - African Development Bank Group , Africa Investment Forum 2018 : a new bold vision tilts capital flows into Africa , 14 November 2018 8 - Volta River Development Act 1961 , ( Act 46 ), s . 10 9 - Abeeku Brew-Hammond , ‘ The Electricity Supply Industry in Ghana : Issues and Priorities ’ ( 1996 ) Africa Development Vol . 21 No . 1 81 , 82 10 - Ishmael Ackah , ‘ Ghana ’ s Power Reforms and Intermittent power supply : A critical Evaluation ’ ( 2014 ) JESD Vol . 5 267 , 268 11 - Energy Commission Act , 1957 ( Act 541 ), s . 23 12 - ‘ Overview / Our History ’ ( GRIDCo ) < https :// www . gridcogh . com / home / overview /> accessed 7 July 2021 13 - [ Kimathi & Partners Corporate Attorneys , ‘ Electricity Regulation and Transfer in Ghana ’ ( Lexology 31 October 2019 ) < https :// www . lexology . com / library / detail . aspx ? g = 910beca2-f3bf-420f-8597-e7e3e6f53b38 > accessed 7 July 2021 14 - Ministry of Finance , 2019 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review and Supplementary Estimates ( 2019 ) para 19 15 - Ministry of Finance , 2019 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review and Supplementary Estimates ( 2019 ) para 19 16 - Ghana Energy Commission , 2016 Energy ( Supply and Demand ) Outlook for Ghana ( April 2016 ) para . 1 ; Ghana Energy Commission , 2021 Energy ( Supply and Demand ) Outlook for Ghana ( April 2021 ) p . ii 17 - [ Ishmael Ackah , ‘ Ghana ’ s Power Reforms and Intermittent power supply : A critical Evaluation ’ ( 2014 ) JESD Vol . 5 267 , 268 18 - Ghana Energy Commission , 2017 Energy ( Supply and Demand ) Outlook for Ghana ( April 2017 ) p . 25 19 - Ghana Energy Commission , 2021 Energy ( Supply and Demand ) Outlook for Ghana ( April 2021 ) p . 38 20 - International Trade Administration , Ghana- Country Commercial Guide Energy Sector ( August 2020 ) < https :// www . trade . gov / country-commercial-guides / ghana-energysector > accessed 8 July 2021 21 - Public Utilities Regulatory Commission ( PURC ), Ghana Preliminary Investigative Report On Erratic Power Supply ( April 2021 ) para . 5.1 22 - Ministry of Energy , National Energy Policy ( 2010 ) p . 10 23 - [ Ebenezer Nyarko Kumi , ‘ The Electricity Situation in Ghana : Challenges and Opportunities ’ ( 2017 ) CGD 10 24 - Ghana Energy Commission , 2021 Energy ( Supply and Demand ) Outlook for Ghana ( April 2021 ) p . 14 25 - Public Utilities Regulatory Commission , Preliminary Investigative Report On Erratic Power Supply ( April 2021 ) 26 - Public Utilities Regulatory Commission , Preliminary Investigative Report On Erratic Power Supply ( April 2021 ) p . 4 27 - Dr . Matthew Prempeh , ‘ Bear With Us As We Fix Power Transmission Issues ’ ( Ministry of Energy Blog 21 May 2021 ) < https :// www . energymin . gov . gh / bear-us-wefix-power-transmission-issues-napo > accessed 8 July 2021 28 - Ghana Grid Company Limited , Annual Report ( 2018 ) 10 29 - Ghana Grid Company Limited , Annual Report ( 2017 ) 10 30 - Ghana Grid Company Limited , Annual Report ( 2017 ) pp . 21-24 31 - Ghana Grid Company Limited , Annual Report ( 2018 ) pp . 23-28 32 - Public Utilities Regulatory Commission , Preliminary Investigative Report On Erratic Power Supply ( April 2021 ) p . 9
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