The 10th Ghana Energy Awards (GEA) has been launched with a focus on consolidating gains in the energy sector and advancing sustainable development. The anniversary edition is being held on the theme: “Consolidating Ghana’s Energy Sector Gains: A Decade of Resilience, a Future of Sustainable Energy.” This theme reflects the sector’s progress over the past decade and the need to build a more sustainable, secure and resilient energy future.
According to Mr Kwame Jantuah, Chairman of the GEA Awarding Panel, the sector has recorded significant policy and regulatory reforms, increased integration of renewable energy into the national grid, power distribution reforms, financial restructuring and investment in energy infrastructure. He also cited increased activities across the upstream and downstream petroleum sectors, including renewed interest by major international oil and gas companies such as ExxonMobil and Shell in Ghana’s offshore basin.
The 10th edition of the GEA will feature 30 competitive and five non-competitive awards, bringing the total to 35. Competitive categories include Energy Personality of the Year, CEO of the Year, Visionary Leader Award, Energy Icon of the Decade and Energy Company of the Year. Mr Henry Teinor, Event Director of the GEA, said the awards sought to recognise individuals, institutions and organisations contributing to the development of Ghana’s energy sector.
Nominations for the awards have officially opened, with an integrated awards management system introduced to facilitate applications, validation, scoring and documentation. This system is expected to make the nomination process more efficient and transparent. The GEA is a significant event in Ghana's energy sector, and it provides a platform for stakeholders to be recognised for their contributions.
Dr Kwame Ampofo, Ghana’s Ambassador to Hungary and Slovakia, noted that pressures in the energy sector, including rising prices, required increased generation capacity and diversification of energy sources. He advocated a balanced energy mix involving solar, thermal and nuclear power to improve reliability, while leveraging Ghana’s technical expertise to expand electricity exports within the West African sub-region.
The Government is implementing measures to improve the financial sustainability and reliability of the power sector. Mr Sulemana Abubakar, Director of Power at the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, said these measures included a US$3.46 billion network improvement programme, plans to procure 1,200 megawatts of combined-cycle thermal generation capacity, increased use of natural gas and expansion of renewable energy.
The 10th Ghana Energy Awards is expected to bring together stakeholders from the energy sector to celebrate a decade of progress and resilience. The event will also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the sector’s achievements and challenges, and to chart a course for a more sustainable energy future. Key points:
Key points
- The 10th Ghana Energy Awards will feature 35 awards categories
- The event aims to recognise individuals and organisations contributing to Ghana's energy sector
- The Government is implementing measures to improve the power sector's financial sustainability and reliability
