USTDA Expands Partnership with Ghana and Creates Market Access for U.S. Businesses
July 5, 2018
Press Release
Deputy Energy Minister William Owuraku Aidoo, USTDA’s Director, Congressional and Public Affairs, Thomas R. Hardy, and Deputy Minister of Finance Charles Adu Boahen

Accra, Ghana– Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to Ghana’s Ministry of Energy, providing a feasibility study to help expand energy access to approximately 67 communities in Afram Plains South. USTDA and the government of Ghana would aim to use the Export-Import Bank of the United States financing to implement the minigrids.

The study will provide detailed analysis on the energy demand of the Afram Plains South communities and design energy “minigrids” – standalone, solar-based energy systems that provide energy directly to communities. The study will support the government of Ghana’s goal of reaching universal energy access for Ghanaians by 2020.

“USTDA is pleased to support this project that will increase energy access for citizens and businesses across Ghana,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA’s Director, Congressional and Public Affairs. “In addition to supporting the goals of Electrify Africa, this project will create market access for U.S. businesses.”

The Ministry of Energy of Ghana will competitively select a U.S. firm to undertake the feasibility study. Businesses interested in submitting proposals for this USTDA-funded feasibility study should visit the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website at www.fbo.gov. A link to the FBO announcement is also posted on USTDA’s website at www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.

Mr. Hardy signed the grant along with Ghanaian Deputy Minister of Finance Charles Adu Boahen and Deputy Energy Minister William Owuraku Aidoo at a signing ceremony as part of the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) fact-finding mission in Accra, Ghana. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia witnessed the grant signing.

USTDA also announced funding for a West African Customs Modernization and Trade Facilitation Reverse Trade Mission that will focus on customs modernization and build on work underway in Ghana by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

On the visit to Ghana, USTDA also announced funding for a West Africa Smart Grid Reverse Trade Mission that will introduce decision-makers from Ghana’s power sector to U.S. technologies, services, and equipment for improved electricity transmission and distribution.