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Sat, 11 Jan 2025 Feature Article

Ghana's Energy Crossroads: Choosing a Fossil Fuel-Free Future

Ghanas Energy Crossroads: Choosing a Fossil Fuel-Free Future

With creative thinking, Ghana could put itself on the cusp of an energy revolution. If that does not happen, the ghosts of its past could derail progress. The sad reality is that decades of exploitation by the legacy power sector have left the country with a crippling reliance on outdated, polluting energy systems. Yet, in the face of this uncertainty, a glimmer of hope could emerge. A new generation of innovators, armed with cutting-edge technologies, could disrupt the status quo and unlock a fossil fuel-free future.

The numbers are stark. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Ghana's energy sector accounts for over 70% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions (1). However, with the right policies and investments, this trend can be reversed. A report by BloombergNEF estimates that renewable energy capacity in Ghana could increase by 500% by 2025, driven by solar and wind energy growth (2).

A breakthrough invention by a Ghanaian engineer offers a promising solution. This technology enables the deployment of megawatt-scale, off-grid power systems that produce electricity at tariffs cheaper than traditional fossil fuel-based power plants, as well as nuclear and hydropower plants. Imagine a world where energy is clean, reliable, and affordable – a reality that this innovation can help make possible.

However, the success of this energy revolution hinges on the willingness of policymakers to take bold action. The current administration must establish a special power sector taskforce dedicated to empowering cutting-edge disruptors like the Ghanaian engineer. This taskforce should provide the necessary support and incentives for innovators to scale up their solutions.

Moreover, the success of Ghana's key 24-hour economy policy initiative depends on affordable, megawatt-scale, emission-free, off-grid, reliable, and affordable electricity supply. This requires a power sector that provides choice of suppliers, made possible by breaking the last mile distribution monopoly of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). A reliable power supply is essential for businesses and services to operate continuously, driving economic growth and sustainability.

To achieve this vision, Ghana must prioritize investments in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The government should also encourage competition by allowing multiple suppliers to operate in the market, driving innovation and reducing costs.

The stakes are high. If Ghana fails to transition to a fossil fuel-free energy system, the consequences will be dire. A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that widespread adoption of renewable energy could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 (3). However, this window of opportunity is rapidly closing.

As wise and aspirational Africans, Ghanaians have a choice to make. We can continue down the path of exploitation and pollution, or we can choose a different future – one that prioritizes people and the planet over profits. Let us harness the power of innovation to create a fossil fuel-free future. Let us choose life.

References:
(1) International Energy Agency. (2024). Ghana Energy Outlook 2024.

(2) BloombergNEF. (2024). New Energy Outlook 2024: Africa.

(3) National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2024). Renewable Electricity Futures Study: Ghana.

#FossilFuelFree #RenewableEnergy #EnergyRevolution #Ghana #Sustainability #Innovation #NetZeroEmissions

Kofi Thompson
Kofi Thompson, © 2025

Writer & activist for environmental justice & human rights. . More Born into a farming family, I speak truth to power to amplify the voices of victims of injustice.Column: Kofi Thompson

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Started: 11-02-2025 | Ends: 11-03-2025

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