Residents of the Biakoye Constituency in the Oti Region are set to benefit from a major infrastructure intervention aimed at improving public safety and boosting economic activity after dark.
The Member of Parliament for Biakoye, Jean-Marie Formadi, will on Tuesday begin the rollout of a project dubbed “Lighting Up Biakoye,” which will see the distribution and installation of 800 solar-powered street lights across communities in the constituency.
The initiative will commence at Nkonya Wurupong and is expected to target key public spaces identified through months of stakeholder consultations involving traditional authorities, assembly members, unit committees, and youth groups.
Priority areas include market centres, school corridors, lorry stations, and access routes to health facilities—locations residents say are most affected by poor lighting and associated security risks.
The project is designed not only to improve visibility at night but also to address concerns about petty crime, enhance mobility after dark, and support local economic activity, particularly for traders, food vendors, and artisans who operate into the evening.
According to the MP, the initiative reflects community-driven planning following extensive engagements over the past six months, where residents highlighted the need for improved lighting infrastructure as a critical development priority.
She explained that the first phase of the project involves the installation of 800 all-in-one solar-powered LED street lights equipped with integrated batteries and mounting systems.
The installations will be carried out in collaboration with the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Works Department of the Biakoye District Assembly to ensure proper placement, durability, and long-term efficiency.
The solar technology is expected to reduce pressure on the national electricity grid while ensuring uninterrupted lighting even during power outages.
Beyond security improvements, the project is also expected to stimulate the local night-time economy by extending business hours and improving conditions for small-scale traders and service providers.
Health workers and educators in the constituency have also welcomed the initiative, noting that better lighting could improve emergency response times and support evening academic activities for students.
The MP has urged communities to take ownership of the project by safeguarding the installations and promptly reporting faults to ensure sustainability and long-term impact.
