The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has outlined a series of strategic reforms aimed at securing a stable and reliable power supply for national development, stressing that Ghana will not return to the era of “Dumsor.”
Speaking on behalf of the Minister at the 9th Ghana Energy Awards, Deputy Minister Richard Gyan-Mensah said interventions across power generation, distribution, and sector financing are underway to guarantee consistent electricity for socio-economic growth.
“The government remains committed to consolidating recent gains while pursuing long-term goals of energy security, economic stability, and sustainable industrial expansion.
Effective management of the energy sector extends beyond infrastructure to the professionals and investors who drive its progress,” he noted.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah highlighted key policy actions, including the renegotiation of the energy sector debt.
He referenced the successful renegotiation of outstanding payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which the Ministry says has saved the country about $300 million.
These efforts, he added, have begun to reverse long-standing challenges and restore confidence across the energy value chain.
Among the notable initiatives advancing energy security are the addition of over 200 megawatts of solar power projects, the installation of new mini-grid systems that are bringing electricity to communities in Ada, and the nationwide rollout of smart streetlights.
This year’s awards ceremony, held under the theme “Repositioning the Energy Sector as a Pillar of National Development,” gathered policymakers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders.
Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), and Judith Adjobah Blay, CEO of the Ghana Gas Company, were crowned the Male and Female Energy Personalities of the Year, respectively.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to stable electricity, Mr. Gyan-Mensah stressed that Ghana would “not return to the era of Dumsor.”
He emphasized the central role of energy professionals, investors, and partners in sustaining national power supply.
“It is about the people—who keep the lights on, power our industries, and ensure that every household has the opportunity to thrive,” he said, commending the Ghana Energy Media for consistently spotlighting the sector’s achievements.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged that the government inherited an energy sector in a “difficult and fragile state,” marked by inadequate fuel for thermal plants, rising indebtedness, and weakened investor confidence in the petroleum upstream sector.
However, significant progress has been made over the past 10 to 11 months.
“Through critical decisions, disciplined management, strengthened stakeholder engagement, and renewed investor outreach, we have begun to turn the corner,” he stated.
Improvements in fuel supply to thermal plants, increased gas availability, the settlement of major financial obligations, and renewed investor confidence all point to a sector on the path to recovery.
Still, he cautioned that “the sector is not entirely out of the woods,” noting that ongoing reforms—backed by President John Dramani Mahama—are repositioning the energy sector as a foundation for national economic growth.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah assured Ghanaians that the Ministry remains committed to keeping the lights on.
“We have a responsibility to power our industries, light up homes, and open new pathways for growth.
With continued collaboration, we will reverse the decline in petroleum upstream investments and increase the share of renewable energy in our national generation mix,” he said.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to extending electricity access nationwide:
“Wherever you are—on an island or in a remote community—we are working to ensure you are connected to the national grid.”
Describing the challenges ahead as substantial, he called for strengthened partnerships across the sector.
“No single institution can do it alone. We need your unwavering support to modernize and fortify Ghana’s energy industry,” he urged, reaffirming the Ministry’s open-door policy for ideas and constructive feedback.
The Deputy Minister concluded by congratulating all nominees and award recipients and praised the Energy Media Group and the Ghana Energy Awards (GEA) Secretariat for nearly a decade of promoting excellence in the sector.
9TH GHANA ENERGY AWARDS: OFFICIAL AWARD WINNERS
COMPETITIVE AWARDS
1.Energy Personality of the Year (Male) – Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, Chief Executive, Volta River Authority
2.Energy Personality of the Year (Female) – Judith Adjobah Blay, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana National Gas Limited Company
3.CEO of the Year (Power) – Ing. Kwame Kpekpena, Managing Director, Electricity Company of Ghana
4.CEO of the Year (Petroleum) – Maurizio Pinna, Managing Director, Eni Ghana Exploration & Production Company Limited
5.Visionary Leadership Award – Ing. Kow Eduakwa Sam, Chief Executive Officer, Bui Power Authority
6.Outstanding Local Content Initiative of the Year – Ghana National Petroleum Corporation
7.Energy Company of the Year (Power) – Ghana Grid Company Limited
8.Energy Company of the Year (Petroleum) – BOST Energies Limited Company
9.Energy Company of the Year (Renewable) – SolPower Company Limited
10.Energy Institution of the Year – University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR)
11.Emerging Female Leader in Energy – Ing. Susana Tiwaah Badu-Osei, Plant Operations Manager, Power Operations Department, Bui Power Authority
12.Rising Star Individual (Male) – Hubert Nsoh Zan, Assistant Manager, Energy Efficiency, Energy Commission
13.Rising Star Individual (Female) – Spes Enyonam Gbeddy, Senior Electrical Engineer, Protection and Control Section, Ghana Grid Company Limited
14.Rising Star Company – D.McHall Project Consulting
15.The Energy Signature Award – Duncan Amoah, Executive Secretary, Chamber of Petroleum Consumers
16.Chief Green Trailblazer Award – Lesley Arthur, Chief Executive Officer, Cubica Energy Company Limited
17.Downstream Company of the Year – StarOil Company Limited
18.Energy Reporter of the Year – Shadrack Odame Agyare, Metro TV Ghana
19.Innovation Project of the Year – Meinergy Technology Limited
20.Energy Think Tank of the Year – Africa Sustainable Energy Centre
21.Energy Advocate of the Year – Dr. Riverson Oppong, Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies
22.Energy Sector Operational Resilience Award – JK Horgle Transport and Company Limited
23.Excellence in Power Generation – Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited
24.Clean Energy Initiative of the Year – Bui Power Authority
25.Brand of the Year – Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies
26.Corporate Social Responsibility of the Year – TotalEnergies Marketing Ghana PLC
27.Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Excellence Award – Volta River Authority
28.Energy Infrastructure Partnership of the Year – Energy Commission
29.Upstream Company of the Year – Eni Ghana Exploration & Production Company Limited
NON-COMPETITIVE AWARDS
30.Osagyefo Young Leadership Award – Ing. Matthew Seddoh Akatey – General Manager, Engineering and Operations, Helios Solar Company
31.Women In Energy Excellence Award – Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Commission
32.Exemplary Leadership Award – Dr. Ishmael Ackah, Technical Advisor, Ministry for Energy and Green Transition
33.Energy Business Leadership Award – Michael Bozumbil, Chief Executive Officer, PETROSOL Platinum Energy Limited
34.Lifetime Achievement Award – Ing. Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, Managing Partner Arthur Energy Africa, and Board Chairman, Volta River Authority
35.Energy Sector Reformer of the Year – Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Energy and Green Transition
36.African Energy Leadership Excellence Award – Anthony E. Paul, Energy, Policy and Strategy Advisor
By Sampson Kumah Ifeetwube Elvis
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