To prevent a looming energy crisis, Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has emphasized the urgent need for Ghana to shift to a gas-to-power system.
This transition, he believes, will help reduce costs and enhance efficiency in the energy sector.
Speaking at the National Economic Dialogue, the Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu highlighted that continued dependence on liquid fuel to power electricity generators is not financially sustainable and fosters corruption and wastefulness.
The minister’s comments come amidst growing concerns over the financial instability of Ghana’s energy sector, which is burdened by GH₵80 billion in outstanding liabilities.
“Finally, from what I am seeing, we immediately have to move into a gas-to-power era. The liquid fuel bills alone are about $1 billion this year.”
“Half of that can build a gas processing plant that will save us about $600 million per annum. And so for me, that is something non-negotiable,” the Energy Minister told the gathering at the event on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, held at the Accra International Conference Centre.”
He stated that Ghana possesses substantial untapped gas reserves, yet the country continues to depend on expensive liquid fuel imports.
“We have stranded gas that we cannot use, yet we have to buy liquid fuel. We must bring that gas processing plant on and cut the cost. That will also cut corruption and cut the wastage,” he emphasised.
Mr. Jinapor has cautioned that without immediate reforms, the energy sector faces the risk of collapse, as power producers are already shutting down plants due to unpaid debts.
