Ghana has concluded its partnership with the Liberia Electricity Corporation in its electricity restoration drive. Ghana in partnership with the European Union (EU), the United States government and others have been working with the Liberian government to restore lights to the city of Monrovia and parts adjacent.

This was part of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s vision to restore electricity to Monrovia in six months. Several workers from the Ghanaian Volta River Authority (VRA) had been the country working with the LEC, planting poles, running wires and maintaining machines brought in for Emergency Power Project (EPP).

On Tuesday, a short but colorful program which brought together senior officials of the Ghanaian government as well as that of Liberia was held at the head offices of the LEC in Monrovia as part of activities marking the end of Ghana’s participation in the ongoing lighting program.

Speaking at the program on behalf of the government, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai hailed the people and government of Ghana for their direct participation in the restoration of electricity to Monrovia.

Vice President Boakai said the first phase of the Emergency Power Program (EPP) which led to meeting the six months promise of the Liberian leader was realized with the switching of lights at the John F. Kennedy Hospital Compound by Presidents Ellen Sirleaf and John Kuffour of Ghana.

That, according to him, brought joy to Liberians whose country was in darkness for over 15 years. The Liberian Vice President said Ghana’s commitment to helping Liberia in the restoration of electricity as well as its role in the Liberian peace process were demonstration of true African brotherhood that will never be forgotten by Liberians.

He said Liberia will evolve the concepts for construction of the Mount Coffee Hydro Plant and development of the St. Paul through St. Paul River Authority.

Also speaking at the program, Ghana Ambassador to Liberia, Major-General Francis Adu-Amanfoh said the Ghanaian Government and people were committed to strengthening relations with Liberia in every undertaking by the Liberian Government.

Ambassador Adu-Amanfoh indicated that President John Kuffour is still committed to working with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s in ensuring the attainment of her vision to restore electricity to Liberia.

He said the switching on of lights on July 26, 2006 by the two leaders demonstrated the reality of Liberia and Ghana working together to achieve greater opportunities in Africa.

Liberia’s Lands & Mines Minister, Dr, Eugene Shannon praised the Ghanaian leader for helping Liberia in its electricity restoration program. Dr. Shannon noted that accomplishment of the restoration of lights to Monrovia was the beginning of concretizing the two countries relationship.

At the end of the program, Ghana President John Kuffour presented a gift to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Vice president Joseph N. Boakai as a demonstration of both countries working together in the restoration of electricity in Monrovia.