Akon Lighting Africa – Project
International musical super star Akon this week breezed into the capital Freetown for on the ground feasibility studies as plans to launched his initiative project – AKON LIGHTING AFRICA by solar. The star as an African is taking on himself and team to contribute through the energy sector as part of developing the African continent by marketing low cost solar lights especially for the rural areas.
His first port of call was President Ernest Koroma at his Hill Station lodge. As regards his second coming to Sierra Leone he said his AKON LIGHTING AFRICA project is in line with the President’s Agenda for Prosperity. He referred to President Koroma as a committed African Leader who is development oriented.
Introducing, Akon and his team and purpose of visit Information and Communications Minister Alpha Kanu said the pleasure of the second coming of Akon to the country is the government and people. “This time the superstar is here not musically but rather to partner with government to boast up the energy sector especially in the rural areas by providing low cost and reliable solar energy” he disclosed. Government he said, in line with its Agenda for Prosperity will partner with Akon to make the project successful, as it will be retailing solar energy.
Speaking to the Press, at the Bintumani Hotel Aberden, over-looking the Atlantic ocean AKON said his second coming to Sierra Leone is to help in boasting up the government’s effort in taking affording and safe solar lighting energy to especially people in the rural areas. ‘Music is a change an inspiration and as an African I am combining that inspiration with energy to reach out and touch the lives of rural people in Africa” Akon said. He informed that he had visited many rural communities in Africa and that the urgent need to light up their homes and communities is evident as the cost of solar energy is going down.
According to Akon his Lighting Africa Project will cost rural people just around one dollar per week compare to the cost of kerosene, candles, etc and solar will be cost effective, reliable, friendly and safe. He added that the project will no doubt create training in maintenance and jobs for Youths across the continent and in most cases they will be offered seed money to set up their own business. “The issue of Youth in Africa is very important and the best way to contained them is not to search for jobs for them but rather to create jobs” he pointed out.
According to a member of the group Julius Gavey, solar energy is becoming more and more vital worldwide and that the amount of energy that comes from the sun in a week can serve/pioneer Africa for a whole year.
When asked by journalists where the millions of dollar amount of money will be coming from to fund such a project, Akon simply replied “China”. He added that with regards Sierra Leone the government is a leading partner in line with the Agenda for Prosperity. “Africa as a continent needed electricity and it can only be built by us. This project when implemented will impact on the lives of many rural people” he said.
When asked to give his views about Sierra Leone, he smiled and just said “I love this country to my heart and let me add that President Koroma is a dedicated and committed leader with whom I am prepared to work in helping the rural people to put smiles on their faces and impact changes in their lives”
As to what makes him sad about the African continent, he replied “The disunity. Africa has the natural resources and only if we could stand up for each other and unite as one continent, it will be a win- win Situation and we will rule the world”
Akon disclosed that he is still going around Africa on feasibility studies but that the implementation of the project will start soon.
0ther members of the team included, Julius Garvey-the son of Marcus Garvey, Thione Niang and Samba Batili
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