Karpowership Ghana Company Ltd., Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) and Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) have jointly engaged the local fishing community based at Sekondi Fishing Harbour in Takoradi.
The initiative is part of Karpowership Ghana’s regular stakeholder engagement programme, mobilising a critical stakeholder group made up of community leaders, fishermen and women whose fishing-related activities fall within the operations of Karpower and its other utility partners, GNGC and GRIDCo.
It was an opportunity for the three power companies to connect with and update the fisher-folk about work done and future plans for them, while the fisher-folk also raised concerns and provided feedback.
Head of Corporate Communications at Karpowership Ghana, Ms. Sandra Amarquaye, expressed gratitude to participants for their attendance. She reaffirmed her company’s commitment to operating within approved environmental guidelines, meet the community’s needs and actively listen to their feedback and concerns. She emphasised recognition of the fishing community as crucial stakeholders and their commitment to maintaining open communication.
She elucidated: “We are committed to not only listening to you, but also meeting your needs while we generate electricity that feeds the national grid in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. You form part of our very important stakeholders, hence the need to always come to you and listen to your concerns and take your feedback to enhance our operations”.
Commenting on behalf of the GRIDCo delegation, Manager-Corporate Communications, Dzifa Bampoh, on her part said: “The stakeholder engagement is important for GRIDCo to explain its engineering work within the context of Safety, so the fishers operate with care around the transmission lines to avoid any hazard. It is also essential to address any concerns and receive feedback from the fishers to maintain a harmonious relationship”.
Additionally, she said: “Collaborating with Karpowership on these discussions supports electricity supply, which is essential for national development”.
Community Relations and CSR Manager of Ghana Gas, Francis Badu, commended Karpowership for bringing together key players in electricity production and distribution operating in the Sekondi Naval base to engage with the fishing community.
Overall, the stakeholder engagement event was considered a success. The fishing community and other attendees expressed their desire for more collaborative engagements like this one, and applauded Karpowership Ghana, Ghana Gas and GRIDCo for their proactive initiative of a joint engagement.
