Ghana's Head of State, Colonel Ignatius Acheampong on Thursday (21 December) switched on power to neighbouring Togo and Dahomey from Ghana's Volta Dam hydro-electric power station at Akosombo. Colonel Cheampong said one of the most important aspects of the project was the international goodwill and co-operation it had engendered.

The power lines to the neighbouring countries were switched on in a joint ceremony which also marked the commissioning of extensions to the Akosombo power station. As well as internal transmission systems in Ghana, the project involved 81 miles (130 kms) of power lines to the Ghana-Togo border at Lome, 47 miles (75 kms) of power line within Togo and 53 miles (85 kms) of power lines in Dahomey. Substations were built at Lome in Togo and at Cotonou in Dahomey. Colonel Acheampong said the agreement covering the supply of power to Togo and Dahomey was a tangible example of the kind of international economic co-operation that should be encouraged among African states.

The Volta River Project has been the largest single investment in Ghana since independence was achieved. It has taken tow decades to reach the present stage of development, and further expansion of the work of the Volta River Authority is envisaged. Other elements of the expanded project are planned to include dams at Kpong, Bui and Pwalugu. The power station is about 70 miles (113 kms) north-east of the Ugandan capital, Accra.

SYNOPSIS: A power line through three African countries and extensions to Ghana's largest power generating station were commissioned in a ceremony at Akosombo in Ghana on Thursday. Ghana's Head of State, Colonel Acheampong, said one of the most important aspects of the project was the international goodwill involved.

The Volta Dan power station supplies electricity to Ghana and to neighbouring Togo and Dahomey. The Volta River Project is Ghana's largest single investment since independence and involves dams, power generators and a large transmission system.

High Commissioner, Mr Noble Power, represented Canada, which supplied more than half of the finance for the power station expansion, and lines to Togo and Dahomey. Colonel Acheampong said her particularly wanted to thank Canada for its assistance in the project.

The power to Dahomey and Togo was switched on by Colonel Acheampong at the power station. He said the power agreement was an example of the kind of co-operation that should be encouraged among African states. The Volta River Authority plans further expansion of the project.