The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South and Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh over the weekend bagged an award in energy transition.
Conferring the award on him over the weekend, the organisers of the GHANA ENERGY AWARDS described the Dr Opoku-Prempeh who is popularly called Napo as a visionary.
The group said the Minister has profound mettle in consulting widely and comprehensively before undertaking any venture he identifies.
They mentioned that the usage of the Pwalugu Dam to produce solar and hydro energy as well as the implementation of 20-megawatt solar power plants in remote communities and the revision of local content legislation and many others have been through the industry of Dr Napo.
This latest award bagged by Dr Napo is aside the numerous awards he received at the Education Ministry where he worked previously and the earlier ones he bagged after taking over as Energy Minister in 2021.
The citation accompanying the National Energy Transition Framework award to Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh…
“You have been unequivocal in your commitment to Ghana’s energy transition, shown by the recent outdooring of the National Energy Transition Framework: the result of a painstaking nationwide stakeholder consultative approach and a framework geared at guiding Ghana’s transition to a net-zero economy by 2070 in a just and equitable manner, as well as minimize possible stranded assets and job losses in the oil and gas sector.
Your consultatory approach has been backed by clear objectives towards the transition to using as the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam, which would be a source of both solar and hydro energy; the implementation of 20-megawatt solar power plants in remote communities; revision of local content legislation; the electrification of island communities and hard-to-reach areas with renewable energy technologies; and the extension of the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program (SEP) to include prioritized projects, such as solar streetlights and off-grid solar power projects for isolated communities.
Your passionate resolve to steer Ghana’s energy sector towards the path of net zero emissions and the attainment of nationally determined contributions were clearly expressed at the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(COP 27): an event where you also expressed Ghana’s dedication to towards the use of clean
Complementarily, you launched the National LPG Promotion Programme to accelerate the switch from unclean fuels to LPG in a bid to achieve the goal of 50 per cent access by 2030.
Central to your resolution is the peaceful adoption of nuclear energy as an addition to Ghana’s energy mix. This is evidenced by the progressive steps taken towards the selection of a preferred site and vendor for the development of a nuclear power plant.
Because of your dedication and hard work, the sector continues to grow steadily, as an integral part of the Ghanaian economy.
In recognition of your invaluable commitment towards energy transition in Ghana and Africa, the Ghana Energy Awards has the pleasure to present to you, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Exceptional Commitment to Africa’s Energy Transition Honorary Award”, the statement ended.
STORY BY MICHAEL OFOSU-AFRIYIE, KUMASI.