US Ambassador to Ghana calls on Energy Minister

Accra, March 19, GNA - The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Gene A. Cretz, on Tuesday called on Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, to discuss the second compact of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) among other things.

Mr Buah said the country was ready for increased collaboration with the US in the area of energy stating that Ghana was putting everything in place for the second compact of the MCC which is to be invested in the energy sector.

He said there was the need for full co-operation among all stakeholders to ensure that the compact agreement was effectively developed and executed.

Mr Buah said with the increase in electricity demand the country had to add about 200MW of power every year for the next 20 years and called for US support.

He indicated that there were plans in the short-term to restore normal supply of electricity within the next few weeks adding that the Takoradi Thermal Plant, Bui Hydro Dam, Sunon-Asogli Power Plant, and the West African Gas Pipeline when restored, would ensure continuous flow of electricity for Ghana and its West African neighbours.

He said the country was looking at alternative sources of energy, for instance, renewable energy, for which a Bill has been passed.

Mr Buah said the government was committed to providing additional resources for energy projects to ensure sustained power supply to the various business entities in the country.

He expressed government's appreciation for the US Government's support to Ghana over the years.

Ambassador Cretz said because of the democratic credentials of Ghana, many US companies wanted to invest in the country.

He said the second compact of the MCC would strengthen the energy sector in order to make Ghana self-sufficient in energy generation and a net exporter of the commodity to its neighbours in the West African sub-region and beyond.

Ambassador Cretz congratulated the minister on his appointment and urged him to effectively engage with all stakeholders in the energy sector to ensure accelerated development.

He noted that the relationship between the two countries was excellent and expressed the hope that it would be deepened in future.

GNA