The Minister of Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, announced that Ghana’s power supply is currently stable, with excess energy being exported.
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During a press conference at the 7th Meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Regional Committee for Africa in Accra on September 4, he mentioned that efforts are underway to achieve universal access to electricity.
“Our power supply is quite stable; we have sufficient energy and are even exporting it. Our goal is to ensure that at least 10 percent of our energy mix comes from renewable sources, excluding our high-flow potential. Our immediate plan is to implement solar irrigation pumps throughout the country,” he stated.
The summit, which took place from September 2 to September 4, was attended by 19 Energy and Power Ministers from various African countries, including Malawi, Liberia, Seychelles, Comoros, Nigeria, The Gambia, Somalia, and Sao Tome and Principe, along with representatives from 39 member nations and 7 signatory countries.
Topics discussed included actionable strategies for improving energy access, solar innovation, and promoting climate-resilient growth. The minister also mentioned the government’s intention to deploy solar irrigation pumps nationwide to support year-round farming, particularly during dry seasons.
“We want to learn from India, which has pioneered this approach. They have agreed to collaborate with us,” he said, noting that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be signed to facilitate this collaboration, including training for local artisans.
Hon. Jinapor pointed out the worsening energy crisis in Africa, highlighting that over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, and nearly one billion people do not have access to clean cooking solutions, especially in rural areas.
He remarked that despite being the continent with the most sunlight, Africa produces only four percent of the world’s solar power and attracts less than two percent of global clean energy investments.
“Africa’s energy disparities go beyond infrastructure; they stem from underinvestment, unequal access, and structural barriers that impede our progress. Without affordable, clean, and reliable energy, our goals for industrialization, job creation, food security, and climate resilience will remain unattainable. Universal energy access is not just a development goal; it is a moral obligation and essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal Seven by 2030,” he stated.
He also stressed the need for innovative and practical solutions, such as Floating Solar Photovoltaics (FSPV), to tackle Africa’s energy challenges.
The Director-General of ISA, Ashish Khanna, noted that the organization consists of 124 member countries. He announced that the meeting approved the launch of the Africa Solar Facility, a $200 million catalytic fund, with $75 million expected to be operational by the end of 2025 to unlock over $800 million in investments.
