In a bid to alleviate the burden of high energy costs on businesses, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has unveiled an ambitious plan to boost Ghana’s solar power capacity by 2,000 megawatts (MW) within the first four years of his administration.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the significance of this initiative during a meeting with members of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) in Accra.
He highlighted how this substantial increase in solar power, which amounts to almost half of the nation’s current electricity consumption, aims to ease financial strains faced by businesses grappling with steep energy tariffs.
The Vice President, also the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stressed the pivotal role of solar energy in reducing expenses and fostering economic growth.
“With this initiative, we aim to significantly reduce the escalating costs of power, particularly for our businesses, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in response to pleas from traders for his administration to address the cost of power.”
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
If Bawumia becomes Ghana’s next President, he plans to tackle immediate business concerns and promote a shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy.
Ghana set an ambitious target to achieve net zero emissions by 2070 as part of its National Energy Transition Framework (NETF). A key aspect of this plan involves increasing the use of renewable energy sources.
Additionally, there are plans to transition thermal power plants to natural gas and incorporate nuclear power into the country’s energy mix.
Dr. Robert Sogbadji, Deputy Director of Power (Nuclear and Alternative Energy) and Coordinator of the Energy Transition Committee at the Ministry of Energy disclosed that currently, renewable energy accounts for 33 percent of Ghana’s energy mix, including significant contributions from hydropower sources.
However, he added that in terms of modern renewables such as solar and wind, it constitutes 3.1 percent with a target to achieve 10 percent installed capacity by 2030.
Dr. Bawumia acknowledged that the cost of power in the country is among the highest within the sub-region, and also far higher than countries like the United States of America (USA).
It is against this background that he said he is committed to undertaking the solar initiative, which would ultimately lead to reduced cost of electricity.
Port Reform and Call for Political Engagement
Furthermore, Dr. Bawumia outlined his intentions to overhaul Ghana’s ports, addressing a longstanding grievance among traders, particularly importers, regarding the steep duties imposed on imports. These high duties are often cited as a key factor driving up the prices of goods in local markets.
He emphasized that import duties will be benchmarked against those in neighboring countries, with a particular focus on Togo, which has become a favored destination for many Ghanaian importers due to its lower import charges.
Dr. Bawumia also highlighted that this strategy aims to remove the incentive for using alternative ports for importing goods and engaging in smuggling activities.
Dr. Joseph Obeng, President of GUTA, expressed worry about how political parties typically push their agendas onto the public without truly listening to their needs. He emphasized that this one-sided approach has widened the gap between the government and the people, making it harder for citizens to trust the political process.
He urged all political parties to change their ways by actively seeking and including the opinions, concerns, and ideas of ordinary citizens in their plans.
“By doing so, we can promote greater accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in our democracy, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and respected.”
Dr. Joseph Obeng, President of GUTA
He acknowledged the efforts of the NPP in seeking the inputs of GUTA and its members into the party’s manifesto for the upcoming elections.
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