The Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says government has stepped up its investments in clean energy to ensure efficient use of energy in the country.
According to him, thus efforts couple with others will result in the country’s full transition from the use of fossil fuel to renewable energy by 2070.
He mentioned that the move is to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and also to accelerate the production and utilization of the oil and gas reserves.
Dr Bawumia has therefore charged stakeholders in the energy sector to accelerate the production and utilization of oil and gas reserves in Ghana.
Speaking at the official opening of the 5th Edition of the Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon), in Accra on Wednesday, 28 September, the Vice President mentioned that “Let me add that Ghana has set a target of 2070 to fully transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. So, even though as a government, we are fully committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070, we also have to take steps to accelerate the production and utilization of our oil and gas reserves.
“What this means is that even though we want to contribute to reducing emissions, we are of the view that a balance must be struck and maintained in the context of our social, economic, and environmental requirements.
“So, fossil fuels, particularly natural gas will continue to be part of Ghana’s energy mix in the short term, whilst strategies will be put in place to increase the share of renewable energy in the mix from medium to long term,” Dr Bawumia said.
On his part, the Chief Executive of NPA, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid reiterated government’s commitment in reducing the emissions from consumption of petroleum products.
“We at the NPA are committed to support government’s agenda in reducing the emissions from the energy products we consume in Ghana.
“And I’m glad to mention we were the first West African country to reduce sulphur content in transport and industrial fuels from a maximum of 5000ppm to a maximum of 50ppm” he stated
This year’s conference is on the theme “Energy Transition in the African Petroleum Downstream Context: Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward”.
The conference is being organized by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) in collaboration with the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD).
It attracted major players including CEOs, experts and decision makers in the petroleum sector across the West Africa Sub Region.
By Vincent Kubi