The Ghanian Volta River Authority (VRA), managers of the Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Power Dams, has embarked on a significant journey towards operational excellence and standardization by signing a contract with Stendard, a globally recognized regulatory consultancy and technology company based in Singapore.
VRA is the main generator and supplier of electricity in Ghana and is also responsible for the maintenance of the hydropower supply plant in the West African country.
The partnership, which will see VRA aligning its operations with a suite of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certifications, marks a major milestone in the Authority’s commitment to quality, safety, environmental sustainability, and information security, Energy News Africa reports.
The agreement focuses on implementing four key ISO standards: ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems), ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System).
In his address, read on his behalf by the Deputy Chief Executive (Engineering & Operations), Ing. Edward Obeng-Kenzo, VRA’s Chief Executive, Mr. Antwi-Darkwa, highlighted the importance of the partnership in enhancing VRA’s operational framework.
“The VRA ISO Certification and Standardisation project is not just about compliance; it is about improving our internal processes, enhancing quality control measures, and ultimately, delivering better power services to our stakeholders. This project will promote a safe working environment for all our employees and ensure that we manage and protect sensitive information systematically and securely,” he noted.
Stendard’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jason Lim, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are honored to work with VRA in their pursuit of excellence. Our expertise in ISO standard implementation will support VRA in achieving their goals and setting a benchmark for the energy sector in Ghana.”
The project, underscoring VRA’s dedication to continuous improvement, will be rolled out in phases. Stendard will provide comprehensive training and support to VRA staff to ensure successful implementation and certification.
The ISO 45001 standard will help VRA enhance its occupational health and safety management, ensuring a safer working environment for its employees.
The ISO 9001 standard will streamline VRA’s quality management processes, leading to improved service delivery and customer satisfaction. With the implementation of ISO 14001, VRA aims to strengthen its environmental management efforts, minimizing its ecological footprint. Finally, the ISO 27001 standard will bolster the Authority’s information security management, safeguarding critical data and infrastructure against potential threats.
