The newly renamed Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has pledged its full support to decarbonizing the nation’s maritime sector. This commitment was highlighted in a speech delivered on behalf of the Minister by the Head of Upstream Petroleum Unit, Calistus Nero at the Green Shipping Corridors Pre-Feasibility Study Consortium Incubation Workshop hosted by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
The Ministry’s new name, according to Calistus reflects a broader national commitment to achieving energy security and universal access to clean energy. This strategic shift is guided by the National Energy Transition Framework, which aims to diversify energy sources efficiently.
He assured that the government is actively pursuing a strategic agenda to accelerate the nation’s shift toward sustainable energy, which includes establishing a Renewable Energy and Green Transition Fund to drive innovation and investment. Additionally, it plans to deploy renewable energy mini-grids and implement a competitive procurement process for renewable energy capacity. These measures are designed to attract credible investors and secure competitive pricing.
He emphasized that the country’s energy sector is undergoing a revolution as part of a demonstration of Ghana’s solidarity in the global fight against climate change. The maritime industry, a vital part of the nation’s economy and a significant source of emissions, is a central focus of this transition.
According to him, the ministry of Energy and Green Transition is determined to ensure the availability of low-carbon fuels for the shipping sector, actively working to secure a reliable supply of hydrogen and biofuels for blending with conventional fuels. This effort, he stated aims to substantially reduce, if not eliminate, emissions from maritime operations. While acknowledging challenges like high costs and inadequate capacity, the Ministry expressed confidence in evolving technologies and policies to ensure the affordability and reliability of green energy.
The Minister’s representative commended the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping for its collaboration, which has led to the development of the first suite of green shipping corridors. He stated that the workshop provides an opportunity to select the most promising corridors for further development, noting that these joint efforts will not only advance maritime decarbonization but also contribute to Ghana’s vision of a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
