Challenges and prospects associated with rural electrification

Abstract

Energy is essential and without it, societies can neither function socially nor commercially. Without sufficient and adequate energy resources, developing countries will not be able to foster the social and economic developments that are crucial for growth. Electricity is believed to have played a major role in development as well as poverty alleviation; expansion of access to electric energy to rural areas where poverty greatly resides has shown slow progress worldwide. In this regard, the study assessed the challenges and prospects associated with rural electrification in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Data for the study was obtained using structured questionnaires and interview schedule. In all, there were 123 respondents made up of 115 residents and eight management of the Bawku District Assembly and the Volta River Authority respectively. Quantitative data analysis was performed using the Statistical Products and Service Solutions (SPSS), version 18, while thematic analysis was performed on the interview data. The study concludes that rural electrification has had much positive effect on the residents of the Bawku West District. This is by decreased poverty, raising the standard of living, creating more jobs in the District thereby reducing unemployment as well as enhancing the academic achievement of children in school. Rural electrification significantly impacts on the creation of SMEs in the District. The major challenge of rural electrification in the District included the scattered nature of settlement which makes it difficult to extend electricity to other parts that are far as well as inadequate funds to extend electrification to other parts of the area. It is recommended that the government through the Ministry of Energy should create the needed incentives to attract investors for rural electrification. This can be achievement by creating a system of tariffs and subsidies that ensures sustainable cost recovery while minimizing price distortions.