President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo returned to Ghana from India yesterday.
He was in that country to attend the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), held in New Delhi, the Indian capital.
He was met on arrival at the Jubilee Lounge of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) by Vice President Bawumia, Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare, Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul and Interior Minister Ambrose Dery.
He attended the ISA Summit at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron.
The summit, attended by 25 other heads of state and governments, provided a platform for co-operation amongst solar resource rich countries, aimed at realising “the common goals of increasing the use of solar energy in meeting the energy needs of ISA member countries in a safe, convenient, affordable, equitable and sustainable manner.”
When he got the opportunity to address the participants, President Akufo-Addo told them that Ghana is committed and determined to increasing the solar energy sector in the country’s energy mix.
He further gave the assurance that in keeping with Ghana’s commitment under the Paris Agreement, his government would take the needed steps to ensure that the country attains utility-scale solar electricity from about 22.5 megawatts to 250 megawatts by 2030.
President Akufo-Addo underscored that a major strategy to achieving the targets in Ghana is to build the relevant domestic capacity in the manufacture and assembling of solar energy systems and accessories in the country.
“This will also help create job opportunities for our vibrant and hardworking youth. Ghana is a haven of peace and security. My government is keen on building the most business-friendly environment for investment, especially for investment in the renewable energy sector.
“Our country is endowed with great potential, where security and the rule of law are upheld, where investments are secure, and, by the end of the year, we are projected to be the fastest growing economy in the world.”
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent