Energy Minister charges boards of VRA and GNPC to put Ghana first
The Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, at separate ceremonies on Tuesday, August 31, charged the boards of three energy sector players to ensure that their operations benefit Ghanaians.
The institutions whose boards were inaugurated are the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Energy Commission and the Volta River Authority (VRA).
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation
The energy minister charged the Board of GNPC to adopt aggressive exploration to add to the country’s oil reserves and ensure that the resources benefit generations.
“The GNPC has the responsibility to maximise the use of oil resources for the benefit of the present and future generations. I charge the board of the national oil company to ensure that the interest of the nation is supreme in all partnerships and operations,” the minister said.
On his part, the Chairman of the GNPC Board, Fredrick Worsemao Blay (Freddie Blay), expressed the board’s appreciation to the president for the opportunity to serve the country.
He pledged his team’s commitment to work harmoniously with the minister for collective growth and advancement in the energy sector.
Other members on the board include CEO, Dr Kofi Koduah Sarpong, Mr Martin Kwakye, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Mr Yaw Kyei, Yoo Naa AndaniYakubu Abdulai V and Mad Ama Gyamfuah Abrefa.
In his remarks, Dr Prempeh asked the newly constituted governing board of the Energy Commission to serve faithfully and diligently in order to make meaning of the trust and confidence reposed in them by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
“I charge the Energy Commission to renew its commitment to developing and elaborating national policies and strategies for all renewable resources such as biomass, solar, geothermal, water and wind,” he said
Chairman of the Board and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Ebenezer Oduro Owusu expressed the board’s readiness to tackle the challenges of the industry and the Commission.
“We shall work as a team to ensure that the commission lives up to expectations as a regulator,” he said, adding that the commission must also work to ensure that it leverages technologies to develop the sector.
He noted that the focus areas of the board would include solar photovoltaic systems for both stand-alone and grid-connected, and wind energy resource assessment and generation.
Other areas of importance are small hydro development in Ghana covering mini, micro, biomass/biofuel and wood fuel resource assessment, development and generation.
Other members on the board include Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon and First Deputy Majority Whip, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Executive Secretary of the Commission, Oscar Kojo Amonoo-Neizer, Dr Kodjo Esseim Mensah-Abrampa, Dr Isaac Frimpong Mensah-Bonsu, Mr Moses Aristophanes Kwame Gyasi and Mr Dari Bismark Haruna (Kpembewura).
The Energy Commission is required by law to regulate and manage the development and utilisation of energy resources in Ghana and provide the legal, regulatory and supervisory framework for all providers of energy in the country.
They are to do so by granting licences for the transmission, wholesale, supply, distribution and sale of electricity and natural gas and related matters.
To the Board of the Volta River Authority (VRA), the energy minister requested them to work together with stakeholders to keep the lights stable for Ghanaians.
“Constant electricity is crucial for our daily activities and economic growth. I, therefore, charge this Board to work collaboratively to ensure that the lights are stable to support Ghana’s economy,” he said
The minister pointed out that it was important for the board to institute measures to address the issue of the energy sector of intra-sector debts. This, he said, would enhance the liquidity of entities to ensure seamless service delivery.
“As part of tackling the challenges of the VRA, I want to urge the board to take steps to settle debts owed to other companies so that collectively we can make progress,” he emphasised.
On behalf of the board, the Chairman, Mr Kofi Tutu Agyare, expressed their commitment to the VRA project and assured the minister of their time to ensure that the organisation is robust in service delivery.
Other members include Emmanuel Twum Antwi Darkwa, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi and Rev Dr Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Most Rev Dr Cyril Ben Smith, Mr Musa Badimsugru Adam, Mr Solomon Adjetey Sowah and Madam Janet Anane.