A high-level dialogue convened by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), in partnership with the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, has highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address the persistent challenges facing Ghana’s energy sector.
The event brought together government officials, energy experts, civil society, and development partners to examine the fiscal and structural inefficiencies undermining the sector’s performance and its broader impact on Ghana’s economy.
Participants noted that under-recoveries in the sector currently amount to approximately 2% of Ghana’s GDP—equivalent to four times the country’s annual capital investment in infrastructure.
This growing fiscal burden, stakeholders warned, threatens national development efforts and underscores the critical need for sustainable and long-term solutions.
While acknowledging ongoing government efforts, including the renegotiation of Independent Power Producer (IPP) contracts and increased private sector participation in electricity distribution, stakeholders reaffirmed the importance of building a reliable, efficient, and equitable power system. Particular emphasis was placed on improving procurement processes and accelerating the transition to green energy.
The dialogue also stressed the importance of viewing the energy crisis as an opportunity to unlock greater investment for social and economic development, with a strong call to integrate gender equity and climate justice into policy reforms.
“Sustainable solutions in the energy sector are not just about lights and power—they are about freeing capital to fund schools, hospitals, and jobs. They are about making the economy work for everyone,” one participant noted.
The meeting concluded with a resounding call for collaborative action across all sectors. Government agencies, private actors, civil society groups, development partners, and philanthropic organisations were urged to work together with transparency and accountability to advance the reforms needed to secure Ghana’s energy future.