Subsequently, it has announced plans to restructure the energy sector to help make it self-sustaining and more responsive in a drive to support the government’s industrialisation agenda in the country.

Addressing a session at the just ended international exhibition on power and construction at the weekend in Accra, a Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Lawrence Osei-Boateng said industrialised power must be prioritised to accelerate economic growth of the country.

“Accelerating Ghana’s economic development depends largely on adequate supply of reliable electricity and also the effective use of affordable energy,” he said.

He observed that even though large-scale industrialisation had been the focus of government’s industrial development agenda for the past four decades, there was a need for industrialised power to be prioritised.

“Competitively, industrialised power should be prioritised and other utilities must remain competitive,” he said.

“The essential use of power is so great that without electricity, communications, industrial activities and services will come to a halt. Industry and manufacturing decline has been the greatest challenge to the prospect of job creation in any country, Ghana inclusive and we are keen to bring a beneficial change to this phenomena.”

He stated that the multiplicity of these energy-related activities in Ghana went to demonstrate the appetite and readiness of the Ghanaian economy for growth, expansion and diversification of her energy markets. 

Exhibition on power and construction

The international exhibition on power and construction was a three day event designed for the energy, renewables, electricals and construction industry in Accra.

It brought together over 200 exhibitors from over 15 countries across the world to offer expertise to address challenges in the power and construction sector.

Touching on the event, Mr Osei-Boateng said the aim of the fair was to bring stakeholders in the energy and construction industry to exhibit modern equipment, local materials and technologies to support the government’s industrialisation agenda.

“The event is aimed at exposing the various opportunities in the sectors as well as encourage international companies wanting to participate in these sectors to partner local businesses,” he said 

He indicated that the achievement of the government’s vision was strongly pillared on a sustainable, reliable and affordable energy sources for industries in the country.

“We are doing this by restructuring the energy sector to make it self-sustaining and more responsive to the current challenges of the economy.” 

Ghana readily welcomes all participants in promoting business in the country,” he said through its agencies, government promises to give the needed support.

“This support will help ensure your success in the market and important facilitate easy access to other West African countries either by road, air or sea. So make Ghana your hub to reaching the rest of Africa.”