Ghana Energy Awards honours 36 industry leaders

Thirty-six individuals and organisations have been honoured for outstanding leadership and innovation at the 9th Ghana Energy Awards (GEA) in Accra.

Organised by the Energy Media Group and endorsed by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition as well as the World Energy Council FEL Ghana, this year’s edition—held under the theme “Repositioning the energy sector as a pillar of national development”—drew senior government officials, diplomats, international partners and industry captains.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Deputy Minister Richard Gyan-Mensah said the awards continue to serve as a national benchmark for performance, transparency and professionalism. He commended the awardees for their resilience and innovation at a time when the energy landscape is undergoing significant transformation.

Reforms generating substantial savings

Mr. Gyan-Mensah highlighted the gains from reforms introduced since January 2025, including the procurement of 200 transformers, strict enforcement of the Cash Waterfall Mechanism, restructuring of power purchase agreements and targeted investments in solar deployment and rural electrification.

These measures, he said, have saved the state more than US$300 million and contributed to the longest period of stable electricity supply in recent years.

He noted a major turnaround at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), where operational expenditure has fallen sharply—from GH¢9 billion in 2024 to GH¢2 billion this year—while monthly revenue has nearly doubled to GH¢1.7 billion. Improvements in collections, liquidity management and fuel procurement have enhanced overall system reliability.

Renewables, nuclear and distribution reforms advance

More than 200MW of solar projects are under development nationwide, including the 25MW floating solar project at Bui and the 30MW Kpong solar plant supported by kfw Bank. Government is also extending mini-grids to island communities and preparing a US$100 million investment to electrify an additional 150 remote communities.

The Government Goes Solar initiative, backed by a €30 million kfw facility, aims to install 22MW of solar capacity across public institutions, generating annual savings of GH¢52 million. A solar street-lighting pilot in the Ashanti Region is slated for nationwide rollout.

On nuclear energy, Ghana has progressed to Phase 2 of the IAEA Nuclear Roadmap, completed 60 percent of site acquisition and secured Cabinet approval for the establishment of a national owner-operator company.

To enhance financial discipline, the ministry has terminated over 200 non-performing ECG contracts valued at more than US$227 million. Cabinet has also approved a plan to introduce private-sector participation in power distribution, with concessions expected in 2026.

Oil production stabilising amid new field development

In the petroleum sector, Ghana produced 27.93 million barrels of crude between January and September 2025, with the Greater Jubilee Field accounting for the bulk of output. Production is expected to stabilise as government accelerates developments such as the Pecan field and implements the National Petroleum Revitalisation Strategy.

Mr. Gyan-Mensah reaffirmed government’s commitment to the US$560 billion Energy Transition Framework, which targets affordable, decarbonised energy with tariffs below 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Award highlights

Volta River Authority Chief Executive, Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, was named Energy Personality of the Year (Male), while Ghana National Gas Company CEO, Judith Adjobah Blay, received the female category honour. Maurizio Pinna of Eni Ghana won CEO of the Year (Petroleum), and ECG’s Julius Kpekpena emerged CEO of the Year (Power).

Awarding panel chairman Kwame Jantuah noted that rigorous scrutiny guided the evaluation process, including independent technical assessments led by former Energy Commission Executive Secretary Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah. Two categories were withdrawn after entries failed to meet assessment standards—an indication, he said, of the scheme’s commitment to integrity.

The minister stressed that ongoing reforms are firmly positioning the energy sector as a pillar of national development and central to the nation’s ambition of building a resilient, inclusive 24-hour economy.

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