Philips Connects Black Star Monument To LED Lighting

By Mohammed Awal

Royal Philips , the global leader in lighting, has unveiled the spectacular illumination of Ghana’s iconic Black Star Monument with its latest LED lighting technology, boosting the beautification of the city of Accra and cutting energy consumption by 80% as compared to the existing conventional lighting.

Abdalla Hussein Khamis

Philips is showcasing its LED lighting solutions in Ghana as part of its fifth consecutive pan-African Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow. The new lighting solutions from Philips would highlight and enhance the architectural quality and aesthetic beauty of one of the most iconic structures in the city.

The General Manger of Philips Lighting, West Africa, Felix Darko, told journalists at a cocktail reception to unveil the lighting up of the monument in Accra. He said Philips was using lighting up of the iconic Black Star monument to educate consumers about the benefits of energy saving in the country.

“We are using this monument as a focus to educate all of us to the benefits of energy efficient lighting,” said Mr. Darko, adding that LED lighting wasn’t just about cutting down electricity cost, but “it is also really beautiful.” He, therefore, called on all, including policy makers, to join in the sensitisation effort to help cut down on energy consumption through the adoption energy efficient lighting sources.

The time he stated was due for the nation to depart from its conventional lighting sources to a more efficient and sustainable platform. “Let’s join this crusade in shifting from our current light sources to energy efficient sources…it’s beneficial to us and will sustain the economy of Ghana -the conventional lighting we have now is outmoded…Let’s all go for it the benefits are enormous” he urged.

“The spectacular lighting of the Black Star Monument in Accra demonstrates the incredible advances that are being made in the efficiency and beauty in lighting”, said Abdallah Hussein Khamis, CEO, Philips West Africa. “Philips is very proud to have placed its know-how and technology at the service of this iconic monument and contributing towards the preservation of Ghanaian heritage.

For us the challenge was to devise effective lighting while respecting the authenticity of this monument. The lighting really had to enhance the beauty of the site without at any time overwhelming it. We are very proud of the final result; this reflects how Philips’ lighting innovations provide completely new opportunities to policy makers and governments to enhance city beautification and at the same time contribute to energy saving”.