The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo (Esq.), has stressed the need for Africa to seize control of its energy destiny.
Speaking at the 2025 Africa Energy Technology Conference in Accra on Wednesday, Mr. Tameklo urged governments and investors to turn the continent’s vast gas reserves into a foundation for economic transformation and climate resilience.
He said it was time for Africa to stop waiting for external solutions and instead lead the charge in monetizing its own gas potential.
“About 600 million Africans lack access to electricity. This is not just an energy issue, it’s a strategic opportunity to harness Africa’s natural gas resources for power generation.
“If we project this need strategically to investors, the gas sector could become the biggest driver of job creation and economic transformation on the continent.”, the NPA Boss said.
The conference, themed “Africa’s Gas Potential: Monetization and Its Role as a Transition Fuel,” brought together key stakeholders in the energy sector.
Mr Tameklo was joined on a high-level panel by Mr David Pappoe Jnr, President of the African Energy Chamber (Ghana); Mr Appiah Keyi, Director of Commercial and New Ventures at Kosmos Energy; and Mr Peter Stuttaford, CEO of Thompson Energy B.V.
Gas as a Game Changer
Mr Tameklo touted Ghana’s second gas processing plant (GPP 2), as a “game changer” that would meet more than 40% of the country’s domestic gas needs.
The plant, he said, would not only cut import dependency but will also spur industrial growth, lower energy costs, and support the government’s ambitious 24-hour economy initiative.
“Gas is the enabler. With more gas powering our industries, electricity becomes cheaper and productivity improves. This is how we lift millions out of poverty”, he added.
Mr. Tameklo described energy security as non-negotiable for Ghana’s development agenda, saying that, reliable and affordable gas is central to driving inclusive growth and long-term sustainability.
Navigating Domestic Challenges
Addressing concerns about the country’s Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), Mr Tameklo acknowledged resistance from some quarters but insisted that the NPA remains steadfast in optimizing the programme.
“There have been calls for us to run the traditional system alongside CRM. We hear the concerns, and we’re working at addressing them. But the end goal is clear, safety, accessibility, and job creation, he maintained.
The NPA Boss noted that the Authority was strengthening its gas department to enhance implementation and ensure that more households benefit from cleaner, safer cooking alternatives.
Financing the Transition
On financing Africa’s energy shift, Mr Tameklo proposed tapping into Ghana’s Heritage Fund to help de-risk gas infrastructure projects and attract global investment. He cited Genser Energy’s local gas projects as examples of viable, community-enhancing ventures.