Accra: Dr. Robert Bright Sogbadji, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Energy, has stated that Ghana's energy transition should be viewed not merely as a shift in energy production but as an industrial revolution aimed at driving economic transformation. He emphasized the importance of refining and processing critical minerals locally to benefit the population.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Sogbadji made these remarks during a workshop organized by Kasa Initiative Ghana, a civil society organization focused on the natural resources sector. The workshop aimed to build the capacity of faith-based organizations and traditional authorities to better understand and contribute to Ghana's energy transition policy, particularly in achieving emission reduction goals. The Deputy Director highlighted Ghana's target to achieve 10 percent renewable energy in the national generation mix by 2030, up from the current 4.2 percent, stressing the need for greater investment to reach this goal.
Dr. Sogbadji also pointed out that the Ministry of Energy is working on advancing the transition not only within the energy sector but across the broader economy. The transition is expected to diversify the energy mix by incorporating gas, nuclear, solar, wind, and other advanced technologies, while also creating jobs through new innovations. Additionally, it will allow Ghana to access green trade markets, participate in carbon exchanges under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, and reduce dependency on gas plants like Atuabo and Aboadze.
He further highlighted government interventions such as the Renewable Energy Investment and Green Transition Fund introduced by President John Dramani Mahama, and the ongoing promotion of clean cooking. The government aims to achieve 50 percent LPG usage by 2030, up from the current 28 percent, as improved cooking technologies could help reduce the 48,000 annual deaths caused by harmful kitchen smoke. The transition is also expected to create approximately 1.4 million jobs nationwide, while promoting electric mobility and other sustainable innovations to align with climate goals under the UNFCCC and Ghana's National Energy Transition Framework.
Mr. Jonathan Coker, Coordinator of Kasa Initiative Ghana, noted that the engagement with faith-based organizations and other stakeholders is aimed at strengthening their role in advancing the country's energy transition agenda as part of broader climate action.