Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has opened the 31st edition of Africa Oil Week with a resounding call for Africa to harness its vast natural resources to achieve energy security and sustainable development.
Speaking at the landmark event hosted in Accra for the first time after three decades in Cape Town, Mr. Jinapor described the gathering as “a fresh start” for the continent’s energy journey, noting that Africa is at a pivotal moment in its development.
“Africa cannot accept a transition that sidelines development, exacerbates poverty, and ignores the stark energy deficiency that still grips our continent,” he declared, pointing to the 600 million Africans who still lack access to electricity.
He outlined Ghana’s new Gas-to-Power policy, which aims to leverage natural gas for electricity generation, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and support long-term sustainability.
Mr. Jinapor urged delegates to commit to practical solutions and partnerships, insisting that the continent’s future energy story must be created “through the decisive application of our collective human intelligence.”
