By Patrick Biddah
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor ,has highlighted Ghana’s impressive strides toward sustainable energy solutions.
He said, Ghana is a shining example of progress on the continent, announcing plans to connect 150 off-grid communities through innovative solar power projects.
Minister Jinapor, explained that this initiative aims to bring reliable electricity to remote areas, improving quality of life and economic opportunities for thousands.
Additionally, Ghana , he said is rolling out all-in-one solar street lights designed to reduce nighttime peak energy demand by an estimated 300 megawatts.
The Minister made this disclosure on May 27, 2025 during the opening ceremony of the 3-day Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) held in Accra,
“If successful, this initiative alone could offset our peak power demand and lead to significant savings,” Jinapor remarked,
He emphasized that the potential impact on the country’s energy landscape will be stabilised in a way that the off-grid 300 megawatts will complement the main grid at peak hours.
“ Investing in solar technology and expanding access, Ghana is setting a benchmark for other African nations striving for energy independence and sustainability”, he noted.
He described the traditional model—where Africa exports raw materials while importing finished energy products—as outdated and ineffective.
“It’s a model that has not worked, and hoping for different results is no longer an option,” he said.
Instead, he urged African countries to embrace innovation, local ownership, and inclusive energy development anchored in a strong policy framework.
The Minister further pointed out the stark energy poverty facing the continent, with over 600 million people lacking access to electricity, 80% of them in rural areas.
He, therefore warned that without reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, Africa’s potential for economic growth and social progress would remain stunted.