Herbert Krapa (M) with stakeholders at the forum
West African countries have been urged to proritise regional integration and multilateral partnerships to enhance energy security and resilience.
This move will also address common challenges in the energy sector to help promote stability and prosperity across the region.
Speaking at the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory (ERERA) Forum in Accra yesterday, Minister of State at the Energy Ministry, Herbert Krapah, said aligning national policies with regional objectives will help ensure a cohesive strategy to address challenges facing the energy sector in the sub region.
He also said that international engagement and support were crucial in supporting West Africa’s efforts towards sustainable energy development.
He, therefore, asked the international community, including governments, multilateral organizations, and private sector entities, to collaborate with West African nations to foster technological innovation, capacity building, and investment in renewable energy projects.
According to him, Energy security has become a central theme in all geo-political debates due to its critical role in shaping economic, political, and strategic interests of nations given the situation where every nation’s energy security is based on assurance and diversity of fuel supply, energy infrastructure and financial viability of the energy sector.
He further indicated that the pursuit of energy security in West Africa therefore requires a holistic approach that addresses geopolitical dynamics, promotes sustainable development, and fosters regional cooperation.
ERERA Chairman, Kocou Laurent Rodrigue Tossou, said energy security and regional integration of countries remain a major concern at the national and regional levels.
He stated that some actors believe that they could guarantee the security of energy supply to their countries as sovereign initiatives in this era where the world is facing rising energy prices with increasing pressure on oil and gas prices.
Mr. Tossou said ERERA will therefore continue to promote the establishment and development of an integrated regional electricity market through the adoption and implementation of various community policies and regulations to allow the free movement and borderless trade of energy materials between countries.
The 9th ERERA Forum themed, “Electricity Trade Security in ECOWAS Region: The Interplay Between National Policies and Free Market Principles” also brought together representatives from the Energy Commission, Advisory Committee of Regulators, Consultative Committee of Operators, technical and financial partners, Regulatory Council of ERERA and representatives of the Energy Ministers of the ECOWAS member countries.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah