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The Bui hydroelectric Power Project in northwestern Ghana was officially completed on Thursday after fives years of construction.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama pressed the knob to commission the final phase of the project.
The plant can generate up to 400 megawatts of electricity.
Mahama praised China for its support, saying China is a true friend of Ghana.
SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, President of Ghana:
"I therefore hope that all the other projects that we are working on including the projects of the China Development Bank will be fast-tracked so that we can continue to see such symbols of Ghana-China cooperation across the length and breadth of our country."
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Gong Jianzhong said the Bui hydroelectric dam is a symbol of the fraternal friendship between China and Ghana.
SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) GONG JIANZHONG, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana:
"In recent years thanks to joint efforts of both sides we have witnessed a rapid growth in our cooperation in economy trade, culture and many other areas. Facts have shown that China-Ghana cooperation has been proven effective and efficient. The bilateral cooperation has grown steadily and efficiently."
Officials and representatives of Sinohydro Corporation handed over keys to the power plant to the Bui Power Authority.
The Bui community has a population of about 1000 people who are predominantly farmers, fishers, hunters, livestock herders and traders.
They are happy that the dam construction has brought positive changes to their lives which had eluded them for decades.
SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) DOUWAA NURIDIN, Local laborer
"We have seen a lot of changes. When we were at the old building, I know it would have been very difficult to get light at that place but when we are here we have light, boreholes and the rest even school. Small children walk all the way from Bui to game camp to school but when we are in this community we are no more walking to any place."
SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) EMMANUEL KOBINA THOMPSON, Local labor union chairman:
"Before we had this onchocerciasis, small insects which have been biting us. Anytime we are going about we have to throw rags up and down our faces. And even if you are talking, this insect will enter our mouths. So we have seen a lot of changes when this project came to this area."
SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) ADDO ANAS, Sinohydro Safety and security officer:
"I am so excited to be part of this history because I don't know when we will have a very big dam like this. Maybe it may come but not in our generation, maybe in further generation. I am very happy to be part and to be a safety officer on this project."
Despite the benefits, the dam has rendered some Bui residents homeless, due to continuously rising water level.
The Bui Power Authority has launched a resettlement program covering 1,200 people in eight communities.
They've relocated to a new town with public facilities, including houses, schools and electricity.
The hydropower project, with a cost of 622 million U.S. dollars, was mainly financed by China Export-Import Bank.
It is expected to boost Ghana's current energy capacity by 20 percent, and enhance reliability and quality of electricity supply nationwide.
