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First Nearly Zero Energy building commissioned in Ghana
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Mrs Alhassan with other dignitaries commissioning the building
The Energy Commission (EC) in partnership with Germany International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) has commissioned a nearly zero energy building in Accra.
Being the first of its kind in the country, the building will consume only as much energy it generates, meaning it will produce its own energy for consumption and very little from the national grid. 
Commissioning the building on Friday, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Mr Herbert Krappa, whose speech was delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs Lydia Seyram Alhassan, said the facility represented a remarkable achievement and a critical step forward in the nation’s journey toward sustainable renewable energy solutions.
“This building stands as a beacon of progress, a powerful testament to what is possible when we turn our shared vision into reality and it is a symbol of commitment, innovation, and the boundless potential of working together toward a common goal,” he said.
Furthermore, Mr Krappa said the building embodies national commitment to addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions.
The building, he said would serve as an Energy Academy and a dynamic hub of knowledge.
The Minister encouraged the EC to go beyond the theoretical foundations taught in traditional academic settings and seize the opportunity to explore innovative technologies, engage in pioneering research, and develop solutions that would define the future of energy for the country and beyond.
The Executive Secretary of EC, Mr Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, said with the Nearly Zero Energy Building, the commission aims to reduce the country’s carbon footprint, use renewable resources efficiently, and serve as a beacon of what could be achieved through foresight, planning, and commitment.
Being fairly cheap, he said the building stood as a testament to the potential of sustainable energy practices to transform the way they design, construct, and operate spaces.
The Cluster Coordinator at GIZ, Mr Tangmar Marmor, said the building has to inspire a drastic change in the building sector in the country to adapt to the low consumption building materials and buildings.
BY CECILIA LAGBA YADA
Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
