Ghana’s power supply system is now stable, with surplus energy being exported, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, announced today during the 7th Meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Regional Committee for the Africa Region in Accra.
Minister Jinapor stated that the government is actively working towards universal electricity access. “Our power supply is fairly stable. We have enough, and we are even exporting. Our vision is to have a minimum of 10 per cent of our energy mix emanating from renewables, excluding our high-flow potential. Our immediate focus is to deploy solar irrigation pumps across the country,” he said.
The summit, which began on September 2 and concluded on September 4, was attended by 19 Energy and Power Ministers from across Africa, including representatives from Malawi, Liberia, Seychelles, Comoros, Nigeria, The Gambia, Somalia, and São Tomé and Principe, alongside delegates from 39 member countries and 7 signatory nations. Key discussions centered on energy access strategies, solar innovation, and climate-resilient development.
The minister further announced plans to deploy solar irrigation pumps to support farming throughout the year, particularly during dry seasons. “India has pioneered this initiative, and we want to learn from their experience. They have agreed to collaborate with us,” he explained, adding that a memorandum of understanding would be signed to formalise the partnership, which includes training local artisans.
Highlighting Africa’s energy challenges, Mr. Jinapor noted that over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, while nearly one billion are without clean cooking solutions, especially in rural regions. “Despite being the sunniest continent, Africa generates only four per cent of global solar power and receives less than two per cent of global clean energy investment,” he said.
He further stressed that Africa’s energy inequity stems from underinvestment and structural barriers, impacting industrialisation, job creation, food security, and climate resilience. “Universal access to energy is not merely a development goal; it is a moral imperative and central to achieving Sustainable Development Goal Seven by 2030,” he added.
Innovative solutions like Floating Solar Photovoltaics (FSPV) were highlighted as key to addressing the continent’s energy crisis. “Africa’s energy transition must go beyond megawatts to empower communities and secure sustainable development resources,” Minister Jinapor remarked.
The Director-General of ISA, Ashish Khanna, shared that the organisation comprises 124 member countries and unveiled plans to launch the Africa Solar Facility—a $200 million catalytic fund aimed at unlocking over $800 million in private-sector investment for decentralised renewable energy projects. $75 million of the fund will be operational by the end of 2025, starting with Nigeria.
Additionally, ISA plans to establish 12 solar technology education resource centres across Africa, including one in Ghana, to offer technical training, testing labs, and youth incubation, fostering local expertise and innovation in solar energy.
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