The government has given approval to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to procure 200 new transformers to beef up the transmission and distribution of power to major cities in the country.
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, who made this known at the opening session of the West Africa Mining and Power Exhibition (WAMPEX) in Accra yesterday, said following the approval by the government, ECG had been asked to “immediately inject the new transformers into the system” to ensure reliable supply of electricity for development.
Mr Jinapor said the initial challenges with power generation had been stabilised, and the country now exported the resource to neighbouring countries.
He said what remained to be done was to take prudent steps to improve upon the transmission and distribution of power.
WAMPEX 2025
WAMPEX is the largest forum in West Africa for the international mining and power industries. For over 30 years, it has attracted exhibitors from around the world.
WAMPEX is the most important meeting place for seasoned mining and power professionals, policy makers, regulators, and stakeholders in the mining and power sectors.
The conference further allows the chain of stakeholders to keep abreast of the latest industry developments, discuss key challenges, and understand future opportunities.
This year’s conference, which is the 18th in the series, was held on the theme “The mining and power hub: driving sustainable investment opportunities in West Africa.”
WAMPEX 2025 brought together 240 exhibitors from 30 countries and attracted over 5,000 visitors.
The conference was jointly opened by the ministers of Lands and Natural Resources,Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah; and Energy and Green Transition, John A. Jinapor.
Reliable power
Mr Jinapor assured players in the mining industry that the government would work round the clock to provide reliable source of power to help unleash the full potential of the sector for national development.
He said the mining and energy sectors were critical to the sustainable development of any country, which was why there was the need for enhanced collaboration between stakeholders in those sectors.
Apt theme
For his part, Mr Buah described WAMPEX as a critical platform that would help the stakeholders to explore innovative strategies to promote responsible mining and efficient management of mineral resources.
The Lands and Natural Resources minister underscored the need for strategic investment in the mining sector, anchored on value addition, to promote sustainable development in Ghana and the sub-region.
However, he stressed that investments in the country’s mining sector must reflect the principles of environmental preservation and protection of community rights.
Beacon of mining
The acting Chief Executive Office (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM), Â Ahmed Dasana Nantogmah, described the WAMPEX as a beacon for mining, power, energy, and infrastructure development in West Africa and across the globe.
He said the increase in global demand for minerals, especially critical minerals, was a call on stakeholders in the mining sector to ensure that West Africa offered an investment framework that was competitive, sustainable, inclusive and future-ready.
Mr Natogmah stressed that sustainable mining was not just about funding, but that it was about “creating local value, adhering to environmental, social and governance principles, embracing smart regulation and fostering regional integration.”
He said while West Africa’s mineral wealth was its greatest asset, even more powerful was the sub-region’s growing spirit of cooperation across borders.