Gold Fields staff (r) making the presentation to the beneficiaries
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has donated nine electricity transformers to four communities in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley municipalities in the Western Region to improve power supply and strengthen critical electrical infrastructure.
The beneficiaries are Awudua, Abekoase, Samahu and Benso, as well as the Tarkwa and Aboso Stadium (TnA Stadium).
The nine transformers comprise one 315 kVA transformer, rated at 33/0.433 kV, 50Hz, Dyn11, with copper windings, which was presented to the Awudua community.
Two 100 kVA transformers, also rated at 33/0.433 kV, 50Hz, Dyn11, with copper windings, were donated to Abekoase.
Samahu received one 315 kVA and one 250 kVA transformer, both rated at 33/0.433 kV, 50Hz, Dyn11, with copper windings.
The TnA Stadium received one 500 kVA transformer, rated at 11 kV/415 V, three-phase ONAN oil-cooled, with an off-load tap changer of 0, +2.5 per cent and +5 per cent.
Benso also received three 100 kVA transformers, rated at 33/0.433 kV, 50Hz, Dyn11, with copper windings and PMT.
The Managing Director of Gold Fields Ghana, Elliot Twum, said the donation was part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting essential community infrastructure and improving the quality of life of residents in the company’s host communities.
“This intervention is intended to address electricity supply challenges, including inadequate distribution capacity and power interruptions, while meeting the growing electricity demands of households, businesses, community facilities and public infrastructure,” he said.
He noted that the initiative was also expected to contribute to a more reliable electricity supply for the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, supporting its operational needs and sporting activities.
Mr. Twum said the donation formed part of GFGF’s broader community development portfolio, through which the Foundation had invested more than $113.20 million in community development initiatives.
“Through this intervention, Gold Fields Ghana Foundation reaffirms its commitment to balanced and sustainable community development, working with relevant stakeholders to address infrastructure needs,” he said.
The Tarkwa District Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Engineer Odame, assured residents that the new transformers would help improve electricity supply and reduce pressure on the local power network.
He said population growth and high-power activities such as welding and local gold processing had increased electricity demand in the two municipalities.
This, he noted, had contributed to the prevalence of illegal connections in some communities.
Engineer Odame warned residents against illegal power connections, saying such connections could overload transformers and damage the equipment.
The Members of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley, Issah Salifu Taylor and Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, respectively, expressed gratitude to Gold Fields for its support towards improving electricity supply in their constituencies.
The two MPs expressed optimism that the transformers would help address persistent power challenges in communities within their respective constituencies.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Tarkwa