Ghana’s Oti Region is poised for a significant economic boost with plans to establish a 500-megawatt biomass power plant, a flagship project under the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative aimed at driving industrialization in the country’s newest region, reports News Ghana.
The ambitious project was unveiled at an investment forum held from October 29-30, 2025, at the Bosatsu Hotel in Dambai. The forum was jointly organized by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Oti Regional Coordinating Council. The plant is designed to provide a stable, sustainable energy source to enable round-the-clock business operations. If realized, it would rank among the largest biomass power facilities in Africa.
Simon Madjie, CEO of GIPC and a representative of the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, stated that the plant will help address Ghana’s power challenges while spurring investment, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
“The project will not only address energy shortages but also open up new avenues for agro-industrial growth and local business participation,” Madjie told attendees at the forum.
The power generation will be fueled by Napier grass, a fast-growing tropical crop. Madjie revealed that the Secretariat is collaborating with traditional authorities in the Nkwanta North District to cultivate between 25,000 and 30,000 hectares of the grass. This agricultural component is designed to create a comprehensive value chain, providing income for thousands of local farmers and workers.
The project has received crucial backing from traditional leaders. Nana Mprah Besemuna III, the former President of the Oti Regional House of Chiefs, endorsed the initiative as a long-awaited solution to the region’s unstable electricity supply.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for,” the traditional leader said, expressing hope that the project would catalyze industrial growth and attract new investments.
However, the project’s massive scale invites scrutiny. A 500-megawatt capacity is exceptionally large for a biomass plant; North America’s biggest similar facility generates 205 megawatts. Such a plant would require millions of tons of Napier grass annually, raising questions about whether the planned cultivation can sustainably meet this demand without environmental strain.
Key details regarding the project’s timeline, total cost—which could run into billions of dollars—and identified investors or technical partners were not disclosed at the forum. These omissions highlight the early stage of the project and the significant hurdles that remain before construction can begin.
The announcement forms part of a broader push to attract investment to one of Ghana’s least developed regions. The Oti Region, created in 2018, possesses abundant agricultural resources but has struggled to translate this potential into widespread development.
For now, the biomass plant represents a compelling vision for transforming the Oti Region’s economy. Its successful realization will depend on securing financing, conducting detailed feasibility studies, and maintaining sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
