Support execution of GETIP, Akufo-Addo urges players in energy sector

President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appealed to stakeholders in the country’s energy sector to support the implementation of the Ghana Energy Transition and Investment Plan (GETIP) which spells out a reasonable path for Ghana to attain net zero energy related carbon emissions by 2060.

He made the call when he addressed attendees of the 2023 and 7th Ghana Energy Awards (GEA) at the Labadi beach hotel, on Friday, 17 November 2023, under the theme; “Ghana’s Energy Transition Framework: Sector Institutions as a Building Blocks for the 2030-2024 Targets.

GETIP

President Akufo-Addo in his address said the framework (GETIP) which has been developed by Ghana, is the result of extensive research and engagement with considerable number of stakeholders including sector institutions, civil society, the corporate sector, international partners and academia.

The President unveiled the Ghana Energy Transition and Investment Plan during the Global Africa Business Initiative event in New York on the 21 September 2023 on the sidelines of this year’s (2023) meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

“[The Ghana Energy Transition and Investment Plan] aligns with our national development agenda as well as the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The framework outlines how we will implement low carbon solutions in major sectors of our economy such as oil and gas, industry, transportation, cooking, agriculture and power.

“It also highlights the essential investments, regulatory initiatives, institutional arrangements and capacity building requirements needed to facilitate this shift. It is a flexible and dynamic tool that will be updated and modified as we learn from our implementation experience and as new technologies and possibilities emerge” President Akufo-Addo said.

“It is a living document that will be reviewed regularly and evaluated to ensure that it remains relevant and responsive to our changing circumstances and goals. This national framework is ambitious but it is attainable. It is anticipated that some 550 billion United States dollars will have to be raised over the next 40 years, equivalent to some 10% of our annual GDP.

“This may appear huge but yet it is less than what will be spent if we carry on unconcerned. Furthermore, the framework will have long term advantages for our economy, society and environment. It will increase our energy security, diversify our energy mix, create jobs, boost health, help to eradicate poverty and safeguard our natural resources” Akufo-Addo further stated.

According to the President, “the framework will also position Ghana as a world leader in energy transition” and Ghana “will be amongst the first countries both in Africa and beyond, to attain universal assess to clean and modern energy by 2023”.

Cooperation

Additionally, Akufo-Addo pointed out that Ghana “will be amongst the first countries to use carbon capture, utilization and storage technology to de-carbonize our energy industry” and to that end, the country [Ghana] “will demonstrate to the world that low carbon development can be pursued without sacrificing economic growth or social progress”.

“The cooperation and support of all parties, domestic and foreign, are need to achieve this goal, but above all, we require the dedication and effort of every Ghanaian citizen who is the primary beneficiary and agent of this shift. We need Ghanaians to accept this vision of Ghana’s energy future as low carbon, resilient and affluent. We rely on Ghanaians to implement energy saving practices and attitudes in their homes, work places and communities” the President remarked.

“We need your help to implement the policies and programmes that will make this transition easier and we need you to hold government accountable. The energy transition framework that we have developed and are set to implement is more than just a document, it is a statement of our resolve and desire to secure a brighter future for ourselves and for future generations” Akufo-Addo further remarked.

“It is an expression of our patriotism and responsibility to safeguard our country from the dangers of climate change. It demonstrates our global leadership and excellence in promoting the universal agenda for sustainable development and I urge you all to join me in making this framework a reality” President Akufo-Addo added.

Leadership

Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, who represented the Minister for Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, in his remarks noted that Ghana’s position on energy transition is that it must indeed happen, but it must happen on our terms particularly when Ghana and by extension, Africa, and the developing world have played only a minimal role in the processes that have led the world to its present situation.

“The Ministry of Energy will continue to provide the needed leadership and direction in actualizing the vision of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for an energy sector that is vibrant, responsive to the 21st century opportunities and realities and above all, fit for purpose” Egyapa Mercer said.

“We will continue to work with stakeholders and relevant public and private sector institutions in our quest to give energy transition true meaning that reflects the collective aspirations and needs of our citizens” the Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer added.

Gratitude

Chairman of the Ghana Energy Awards panel, Kwame Jantuah and the GEA event director, Henry Teinor, both addressed the gathering. They expressed their gratitude to the President for honouring their invitation.

They also congratulated all the award recipients and urged them to continue in their works, efforts and advocacy towards the improvement of the country’s energy sector.

Awards

The first award of the day, “energy reporter of the year,” was picked up by the business editor of Asaase Radio, Emmanuel Aboagye-Wiafe. President Akufo-Addo after his address, presented four awards to the deserving persons.

The first was the award to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Year, petroleum division. The award went to Dr. Ben K. D. Asante, CEO of Ghana Gas. The second was the award of chief executive officer (CEO) of the Year, power division. The managing director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, was the proud recipient of the award.

The third award, energy personality of the Year, female category, went to Kadijah Amoah, the chief executive officer of Aker Energy and the energy personality of the Year, male category, went to Edwin Alfred Provencal, the managing director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST).

Reporting by Wilberforce Asare in Accra

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