The Volta River Authority’s (VRA) Anwomaso Thermal Power Project has clinched the prestigious Project of the Year award at the 2025 National Project Management Conference (NPMC) and Project Management Excellence Awards, cementing its reputation as a leader in infrastructure development and energy innovation.
The award, presented at a ceremony held at Aqua Safari Resort in Ada, recognised the project’s transformative impact on energy reliability in Ghana’s middle belt and its strategic role in reducing transmission costs associated with the West African Gas Pipeline Company’s reverse flow line.
Powering the Ashanti Region and Beyond
Completed in April 2024, the Anwomaso Thermal Power Project was initiated in May 2023 and marked the start of VRA’s Kumasi 1 Thermal Power initiative. The first phase involved relocating six GE TM2500 trailer-mounted turbine units totaling 150MW of installed capacity from Aboadze in the Western Region to Kumasi.
Solely financed by VRA, the complex project involved decommissioning, dismantling, transporting, and reinstalling critical infrastructure, including turbines, generators, switchyard components, and other auxiliary equipment. Phase 2 is underway and is expected to add an additional 100MW to the grid by the end of 2025.
Recognised for Excellence in Multiple Categories
In addition to winning the top project award, VRA secured:
- 1st Runner-Up – Agriculture Project of the Year for its Kpong Head Aquatic Weed Management Project
- 1st Runner-Up – State Organisation Project of the Year for the Anwomaso Thermal Power Project
- 2nd Runner-Up – PMO of the Year, awarded to its Project Management Office
These accolades reflect VRA’s commitment to delivering high-impact infrastructure while promoting sustainability, innovation, and community development.
Thought Leadership and Technical Innovation
VRA’s presence at the three-day conference was marked by a series of compelling technical presentations led by its seasoned experts:
- Ing. Owusu Dwamena, Manager of Operations at the Akosombo Generating Station, detailed a USD 12.06 million security upgrade project for Akosombo and Kpong Dams. The initiative, driven by emerging security threats, includes advanced surveillance and intrusion detection technologies to safeguard Ghana’s critical power infrastructure.
- Mr. Ben A. Sackey, Director of Environment & Sustainable Development, showcased the Kpong Aquatic Weed Project which deploys sustainable solutions like bio-digesters and composting to restore water bodies while empowering local communities.
- Ing. Samuel Baah Dadzie, Principal Engineer, highlighted VRA’s Smart Infrastructure initiatives through the lens of its new Engineering Services Department building. His presentation focused on resilient design, energy efficiency, and stakeholder-inclusive planning.
- Ms. Elizabeth Kisson, Principal Research Officer, spoke on VRA’s health-focused interventions in the Volta Basin. Her session on Schistosomiasis Management underscored the authority’s broader role in public health through digital innovation and strategic partnerships.
National Leadership Applauds Project Management Excellence
President John Mahama, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Goosie Tanoh, Chairman of HML Marine, Power & Energy Ltd., lauded the role of project management in Ghana’s economic transformation and praised PMI Ghana for spearheading professional growth in the sector.
Themed “Innovating for Prosperity: How Project Management Will Shape Ghana’s Economic Future,” the 2025 NPMC brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore the power of structured delivery in national development.
Driving Development Through Project Excellence
VRA’s resounding performance at the 2025 NPMC Awards reinforces its strategic focus on resilient, people-centered infrastructure. From bolstering energy access to pioneering environmental and community initiatives, the Authority continues to position itself as a national force for sustainable development and innovation.
As Ghana works toward a stable and inclusive energy future, VRA’s unwavering commitment to excellence in project execution remains central to that vision.
