The Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, has launched the 9th edition of the Ghana Energy Awards in Accra, urging stakeholders to reposition the energy sector as a central pillar of Ghana’s national development.
Speaking at the media launch and opening of nominations, held under the theme “Repositioning the Energy Sector as a Pillar of National Development”, the deputy minister who represented the sector minister John Jinapor commended the Energy Media Group and the Awards Secretariat for their consistency in celebrating excellence and innovation in Ghana’s energy space.
“The Ghana Energy Awards has become a beacon of excellence, innovation, and leadership in our energy sector,” Gyan Mensah said. “It not only celebrates achievements but also inspires continued commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy future.”
Key Sector Achievements
Highlighting progress under the government’s green transition agenda, the deputy minister outlined several milestones:
- Renewables: He said over 200MW of solar projects are underway, including a 25MW floating solar plant at the Bui Dam and a 30MW project at the Kpong Reservoir in partnership with Germany’s KfW Bank.
- Rural Electrification: New mini-grid systems have been commissioned in Azizakpe, Aflive, and Alorkpem, providing power to more than 3,700 residents in Ada. Feasibility studies have been completed for 150 island and lakeside communities in Afram Plains, with a $100 million investment planned.
- Efficiency and Safety: Nearly 2,500 smart solar streetlights have been installed in the Ashanti Region as part of a pilot programme, with nationwide expansion planned.
- Government Goes Solar: A 22MW solar project is being rolled out across public institutions, expected to save GHS 52 million annually.
- Nuclear Energy: Ghana has advanced to Phase 2 of the IAEA roadmap, with 60% of the nuclear site acquisition process completed and Cabinet approval granted for a National Owner/Operator Company.
- Clean Cooking: 450,000 LPG stoves are being distributed under the Cylinder Recirculation Model to transition households to safer cooking methods.
The Minister also pointed to reforms aimed at improving sector transparency and efficiency. Over 200 non-performing ECG contracts worth $227 million have been terminated, while the Cash Waterfall Mechanism has strengthened liquidity and ensured accountability.
Supporting Local Content
On local participation, the deputy minister highlighted the growth of the Petroleum Commission’s Local Content Fund, which has increased by 11.22% in cedi terms (GHS 29.89 million) and by 27.08% in dollar terms (USD 2.49 million). The fund supports training and capacity-building for Ghanaian businesses in the oil and gas industry.
A Roadmap for the Future
Ghana’s Energy Transition Framework, a $560 billion roadmap launched at COP27, remains at the core of the government’s strategy. It seeks to deliver affordable energy—targeting below 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour—while prioritizing decarbonization and universal access.
Call to Action
The deputy minister urged stakeholders across government, private sector, academia, and civil society to treat this year’s theme as a call to action.
“Energy is not just an enabler of development, it is its foundation,” he stressed. “Let us work together to reposition the sector as a true pillar of national growth and honour those who are driving innovation with integrity.”
Nominations for the 9th Ghana Energy Awards are officially open, with the main awards ceremony scheduled for November.