Parliament on Tuesday approved a 500-million dollar facility being contracted by government to finance the construction of two new hydroelectric power projects. They would be the Juale and Pwalugu hydropower projects in the Northern and Upper East Regions respectively. The multi purpose projects, involving power generation, irrigation and water transportation, would add 140 megawatts of power to the country’s generation capacity. The projects are expected to transform the northern parts of the Ghana and could enable the country to export power to neighbouring countries where necessary. The House also approved an 8.1 million dollar loan for the establishment of an information communication technology distance education project at the University of Ghana and a 33.1 million loan agreement for the supply of equipment to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. A parliamentary report read on the floor of the House said investment in a distance education programme at the University would go a long way to enhance access to education. “The government of Ghana in its Millennium Development Goals and the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy has given prominence to education and the development of human capital as a key driver in achieving development goals,” the report added. On the loan facility for the 37 Military Hospital, Mr Nii Adu Daku Mante, Chairman of the Finance Committee said an equipment audit conducted showed that a number of equipment in use at the hospital had to be replaced due to wear and tear. Source: GNA