Residents of Tendoma Community have expressed worry over delay in connecting them to the Country’s National Grid to have Access to Electricity.

Speaking to Upper West Media Team on Thursday, 21st November 2024 at Tendoma in the Ponyentanga Electoral Area of Wa West District, Mr. Muonaa Isaac, Chairman of Education and Development Initiatives in the Community Read a Press Statement, outlining Setbacks the absence of Electricity has caused in the community.

He indicated in a write up read that the absence of Electricity has limited businesses, preventing women from engaging in small scale businesses such as selling water, he added that some health services requiring electricity have been affected, he continued to State that education has been affected because children have challenges attending to their home works.

Community Members have to travel miles to Ponyentanga to charge their phones according to Mr. Muonaa Isaac.

ADDRESS BY THE TENDOMA NOBLE YOUTH FORUM ON THE STATUS OF THE ABANDONED ELECTRICITY PROJECT IN TENDOMA COMMUNITY, WA WEST DISTRICT, UPPER WEST REGION ON 21ST NOVEMBEER, 2024 AT 9:00 AM

INTRODUCTION

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, members of the press, esteemed community members, distinguished stakeholders, and invited guests, we welcome you all to this important press conference organized by the Tendoma Noble Youth Forum. We, as youth representatives, stand here on behalf of the entire Tendoma community, a vibrant, hardworking, and resilient group of people. We have gathered today to voice our concerns regarding an urgent issue that has hampered the development of our community which has to do with the uncompleted and abandoned electricity project that has remained stalled since December 2020.

While our neighboring communities, such as Chemuoteng (around Ga), have long enjoyed the benefits of electricity through similar projects, our community continues to face obstacles and setbacks. Despite repeated promises and countless follow-ups, Tendoma remains in darkness, and our residents are losing faith in the system that vowed to serve them. We bring this issue to the fore today, as the

Impending 2024 elections approach, to ensure that our voices are heard and our concerns are addressed

KEY ISSUES

The abandoned electricity project is not just a symbol of neglect, it is a constant reminder of the challenges and frustrations that Tendoma faces in its quest for development. Let us examine the key issues surrounding this abandoned project and their impact on our community.

1. Unfulfilled Promises of Completion: Since the start of the project in 2020, we have been assured multiple times that the project would be completed soon “even before December 2020 elections”. In fact, significant progress was made, with the installation of both high-tension and household wiring and the setup of a transformer. However, the project was suddenly stalled at the final stage-no meters were installed, leaving the system unusable. This has rendered the project incomplete and non-functional, to the disappointment of every resident in Tendoma.
2. Fruitless Follow-ups and Bureaucratic Delays: We have made countless attempts to reach out to responsible bodies and agencies, including the Northern Development Authority (NDA), the Ministry of Energy, our Member of Parliament (who raised the issue in parliament), the Wa West

2 Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that somewhere in July 2024, residents marginalized, while neighboring communities advance and thrive.

3. Election Year Concerns and Broken Trust: As we approach another election cycle, there is a growing fear among the community members that the issue will be swept under the rug. We recognize the pattern of promises made during election periods and the lack of action thereafter. The people of Tendoma, who have sacrificed their limited resources and held onto hope, feel disillusioned and used. Many residents invested in household wiring in anticipation of electricity, only to be left in darkness. Tragically, some have even passed away without seeing the benefits of their sacrifices, and others have have faced political backlash without achieving any tangible results.
4. Impact on Community Growth and Well-being: Electricity is not merely a convenience; it is an essential element for development. Lack of access to electricity affects our educational facilities, local businesses, health services, and quality of life. This absence hinders progress and leaves Tendoma
5. Election Year Concerns and Broken Trust: As we approach another election cycle, there is a growing fear among the community members that the issue will be swept under the rug. We recognize the pattern of promises made during election periods and the lack of action thereafter. The people of Tendoma, who have sacrificed their limited resources and held onto hope, feel disillusioned and used. Many residents invested in household wiring in anticipation of electricity, only to be left in darkness. Tragically, some have even passed away without seeing the benefits of their sacrifices, and others have faced political backlash without achieving any tangible results.

District Assembly, the contractor Mr. Teepee, and the Volta River Authority (VRA). Despite these exhaustive efforts, each engagement has proven futile, with officials offering nothing more than unfulfilled promises and explanations. This lack of accountability has further deepened the community’s frustrations.

were once again encouraged to fill out forms under the pretext of receiving meters, yet to this day, no meters have been provided. This prolonged delay continues to stall our community’s growth and deepen our grievances.

NEXT ACTIONS

3. For In light of these challenges, we, the Tendoma Noble Youth Forum, have resolved to take the following actions to ensure that our concerns are addressed and that our community’s needs are met:
4. Raise Public Awareness and Mobilize Support: We will continue to raise awareness of our community’s situation through press engagements, public campaigns, and social media platforms. We believe that by shedding light on this issue, we can garner support from the public and amplify our voices to a level that cannot be ignored.
5. Direct Communication with Stakeholders: In the coming weeks, we plan to engage directly with the key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Energy, NDA, Wa West District Assembly, and VRA. We will call upon them to explain the status of the project and provide a timeline for the installation of meters and activation of the electricity system. We demand transparency and accountability from all responsible parties.
6. Provision of Timelines and Regular Updates: We request that responsible authorities provide clear timelines for the completion of the project and communicate regularly with the community on any updates or challenges. This transparency would help restore trust and allow the community to hold stakeholders accountable.
7. Ensuring Equitable Treatment across Communities: We advocate for
   equitable treatment of all communities within the Wa West District. It is unfair that other communities with similar projects have been electrified, while Tendoma remains in darkness. We urge the NDA and other bodies to ensure that no community is left behind in the quest for development.

Forming Alliances with Similar Communities: We will seek to collaborate with other communities facing similar issues. By building a coalition, we aim to create a unified front that can put more pressure on relevant authorities to expedite the completion of these long-delayed projects.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To bring about positive change, we present the following recommendations to the relevant stakeholders:

1. Immediate Provision and Installation of Meters: We call upon the Ministry of Energy, NDA, VRA, and all relevant authorities to prioritize the delivery and installation of meters in Tendoma. This is the last crucial step needed to complete the project, and we expect immediate action in this regard.
2. Establishment of a Project Accountability Committee: We urge the District Assembly to establish a project accountability committee consisting of community members, local government representatives, and officials from NDA and VRA. This committee would serve as a watchdog to monitor project progress, prevent delays, and ensure transparent communication with the community

CONCLUSION

Ladies and gentlemen, as we conclude this press conference, we reiterate our commitment to standing up for the rights and welfare of the people of Tendoma. We have waited patiently, made sacrifices, and exhausted all possible avenues to get the electricity project completed, yet our community continues to face unfulfilled promises and unwarranted delays. As we approach the 2024 elections, our message is clear: if our demand for meters and electricity is not met before December 7th, we, as a united community, will consider boycotting the elections as a peaceful protest against the neglect we have faced.

The Tendoma Noble Youth Forum remains steadfast in its dedication to advocating for the community’s needs. We call upon all stakeholders to wake from their slumber and heed the cry of Tendoma. Let us work together to bring light- both literally and figuratively into the lives of the people of Tendoma. Thank you.

Long Live Tendoma, …..

Long live Wa West District, Long live Ghana!!!!

YE BARIKA YOOZA