Category : News

The new Chairman of the Regulatory Council of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), Professor Honoré Bogler, paid a courtesy call on the Board Chairman of the Energy Commission of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Ampofo and the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Michael Opam, on Wednesday, 20th April 2016 in Accra, Ghana.

Professor Bogler said the visit was to familiarize himself with the leadership of the Energy Commission and to express his appreciation over the Commission’s hospitality, in particular by playing host to ERERA in Accra.

Welcoming the delegation, the Board Chairman assured Professor Bogler of the continued support of the Energy Commission at all times. “It will be our pride to know that we have contributed to the success of ERERA”, he said.

Newly appointed Chairman of the Regulatory Council of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), Professor Honoré Bogler assumed duty on Friday, 15th April 2016 at the ERERA Headquarters in Accra, Ghana.

Professor Bogler received the mantle of leadership from the out-going Acting Chairperson of the institution, Mrs. Ifey Ikeonu, at a ceremony which was attended by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Energy and Mines, Mr. Morlaye Bangoura and the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Resources Management, Mr. João José Huco Monteiro, and Regulatory Council Member, Mr. Alagi Gaye, as well as ERERA staff members.

He commended his predecessor and the two Regulatory Council Members for their ability to make ERERA functional.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ikeonu noted the challenges of getting ERERA operational, and the strides it has so far made, attributing it to the “human spirit” within ERERA. She lauded ERERA’s “very dedicated team”, and urged the staff to “continue to do all you can”, especially as the institution prepares to launch the first phase of the regional power market later in the year.

ERERA held its 2016 staff retreat in Akosombo in the Eastern Region of Ghana from 2^nd to 4^th February 2016 with the theme, Working Together towards a Sustainable Electricity Market.

The retreat featured general sessions that were staff-focused. These were: “Expectations and Group Resume”, Group Synergy, Internal Communication and Team Audit Review, including discussions, personal action statements and an action plan, which would guide staff’s new ways of working as a productive team.

Staff were divided into four teams, all emphasizing team building. The teams were awarded marks based on their performances in the nine activities from the four sessions. There were general sports, including team competitive sports. Individuals and winning teams were awarded various prizes.

The retreat ended with a closing dinner, performances in traditional music and dance by a local youth group, as well as an all-staff dance session on 4th February 2016.

The ECOWAS Parliament has pledged to collaborate with ERERA to ensure that the legislative frameworks of ECOWAS Member States are aligned to promote the ECOWAS vision of an efficient and integrated power pool to solve the energy deficiency challenge in the region.
ERERA’s Acting Chairperson, Mrs. Ifey Ikeonu, during a courtesy call to the ECOWAS Parliament on 22^nd October 2015 briefed the Speaker of the Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on current developments with regards to ERERA’s mandate of ensuring the development of the ECOWAS regional electricity market by putting in place the enabling legal.

She said the regulatory framework would attract private sector investment into the power sector, while also improving the services of government owned utilities.

While commending ERERA for the steps it has so far taken, the Speaker noted the challenges ERERA will face in establishing a harmonized regulatory framework for cross-border electricity trading and promised that the ECOWAS Parliament will do what is necessary to facilitate the enabling legislative environment to assist ERERA in fulfilling its mandate.