Energy Ministry outlines 5-point agenda for transition

The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has outlined a five-point agenda to fast-track the country’s energy transition.

It includes the establishment of a Renewable Energy and Green Transition Fund to provide support for research and development of home-grown green technologies.

The fund would, among others, provide solar-chargeable outboard motors for fishing, solar panels for chips compounds and hospitals and public schools.

The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, who made this known, said the government, through the fund, would also enhance the green credentials of the country, encouraging investments in renewable energy and supporting the development of green technologies locally.

Mr Jinapor was speaking during the 2025 Sustainable Energy Policy Dialogue in Accra.

The event, organised by the GIMPA-PURC Centre of Excellence in Public Utility Regulation (CEPUR), was aimed at providing a platform for stakeholders and experts to discuss issues to advance the field of public utility regulation.

It was attended by key stakeholders in the energy sector, academia, non-governmental organisations and think tanks.

It was on the theme “Accelerating energy Transition in Ghana”.

Other point agendas

The Energy Minister said the government would also deploy solar-powered street lights across the country to help reduce the burden on Ghanaians in paying extra for street lights.

“Third, my ministry is fast-tracking inclusive and universal access to electricity by deploying renewable energy mini-grids. 
“With the support of partners such as SECO, KfW, AfDB, GIZ and the World Bank, the ministry aims to reach 90 per cent electricity access this year,” he said.

Renewable Energy Agency

Mr Jinapor added that the bill for the establishment of the Renewable Energy Agency, which was undergoing technical review, would be submitted to cabinet in the next few days.

He explained that the agency would manage the Renewable Energy and Green Transition Fund and lead the government’s green energy agenda.

He said it would also promote investments in energy transition, forge meaningful collaboration and support research and development of renewable technologies locally.

Mr Jinapor said the government had committed to implementing an open and competitive process for renewable capacity procurement.

He said the ministry, with support from the World Bank, was developing a standardised Power Purchase Agreement and building the required capacity to carry out renewable auctions.

He added that the agreement would help achieve competitive prices, attract credible investors and fast-track the green transition agenda.

“A few years ago, the energy transition was only seen from the perspective of environmental benefits.

However, there is a stronger economic case for the transition now.

“As a country, we will sustainably develop all our energy resources to sustain our development and create jobs,” he stated.

Intentional shift

The Secretary of GIMPA, Dr Victoria Kunbuor, said the dialogue was timely, urging stakeholders to be intentional about working to ensure sustainable energy became a reality.

The acting Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr Shafic Suleman, said the country had both the opportunity and responsibility to accelerate its transition towards a clean, more sustainable and resilient energy system.

He said energy transition required an intentional shift in policy and investment to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy systems.

He expressed the PURC’s commitment to ensuring a fair, transparent and forward-looking regulatory involvement that supports energy transition in the country.