The Ministry of Energy yesterday presented quantities of LED bulbs to Vice Chancellors of a number of public universities in Accra to improve the lighting system on campus.
The items included 7,571 pieces of 150watts LED street lights, 12,801pieces of 13watts LED bulbs, 10,720 pieces of 9 watts LED, and 7,820 pieces of 6 watts LED bulbs.
The beneficiaries were University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA), Ghana Institute of Journalism, (GIJ); the Ghana Communication Technology University, (GCTU) all in Accra and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.
The rest were the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) Sunyani, University of Education Winneba (UEW); University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Ho, and the University for Development Studies (UDS) Tamale in the Bono, Central, Volta and the Northern regions.
Presenting the items, the Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh said the items were in response to a request made by the Vice Chancellors to the ministry.
He said, in accordance with the government’s policy decision to encourage the efficient use of energy in view of the increasing electricity cost, the ministry had embarked on a nation-wide energy conservation and demand-side management exercise.
This exercise, he explained, was targeting particularly homes, light industries and strategic institutions, particularly schools.
“As part of this intervention, the government has decided to promote a shift from the use of incandescent and other less efficient lighting systems to LED,” he emphasised.
Dr Opoku Prempeh said the provision of the lights would in 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, therefore, charged the beneficiary institutions to ensure the regular maintenance of the lights to ensure they last longer.
On his part, the Chair of the Vice Chancellors of Ghana, Professor Abednego Amartey, expressed gratitude to the minister for yielding to their request.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
