Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has issued a stirring call for a bold, unified and African led transformation of the continent’s energy future.
Delivering her message through her Policy Adviser on Political Affairs, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, at the Africa Energy Technology Conference in Accra, the Vice President challenged African leaders and stakeholders to reposition the continent from the periphery of the global energy dialogue to the centre of innovation, sustainability and strategic integration.
“Africa is not energy-poor, but energy-rich,” she declared. “We have abundant solar, wind, hydro and mineral resources. Our people are resilient and entrepreneurial. Yet, millions remain in the dark not due to a lack of resources but a lack of integration. It is time to change the status quo.”
The Africa Energy Technology Conference aims to kickstart meaningful conversations around building an energy secure and self-reliant future anchored in African leadership and solutions.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s remarks set the tone for a renewed push towards energy independence and economic transformation through regional cooperation and intra-African trade.
She emphasized Ghana’s strong commitment to continental energy partnerships particularly through platforms like the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These mechanisms she noted are not mere policy instruments but vital pathways for shared prosperity.
“When we trade energy, we trade potential,” the Vice President said. “Every watt traded across African borders can light up a classroom, power a clinic, run a factory, or fuel the dreams of a young entrepreneur.”
Professor Opoku-Agyemang also spotlighted Ghana’s rich deposits of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite that are essential to powering clean technologies such as batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels.
She affirmed Ghana’s commitment to responsible and inclusive resource development that benefits Africans first.
“We aim not just to export raw materials, but to add value, create decent jobs, and retain wealth on the continent,” she said. “Our institutions like GIADEC and GIISDEC are leading the charge to develop integrated value chains that ensure long-term national benefit.”
She underscored the importance of strong public-private partnerships that prioritize local participation and build lasting capacity across African economies.
In a passionate conclusion, the Vice President reiterated her call for African unity and leadership in the global energy space.
“The future of energy is not being decided in far-off laboratories or foreign boardrooms—it is here, in Africa,” she said. “And that future must begin with us together, now.”
The Accra based conference brought together key players in the energy sector, including policymakers, industry experts, development partners and private sector stakeholders all working toward a common goal: a sustainable, integrated and inclusive energy future powered by Africans for Africa.
Story By: Nancy Obimpeh
