By Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, March 30, GNA – The Centre for Social Policy Studies (CSPS), has called on African countries to take a more proactive role in shaping the global energy transition agenda.
It warned that the continent risks being marginalised in decisions that influence its economic and energy future if it remained on the sidelines of discussions that will significantly affect its energy and development trajectory.
Speaking on the Political Economy of the Just Energy Transition (JET), and Inequality in Africa, Prof Abdul Gafaru Abdulai, the Lead Convener, and Director of the CSPS, said the African continent hardly participated in global conversations around energy transition.
He said while there had been lots of conversations globally around energy transition, much of those conversations did not actually take place on the African continent.
Describing Africa’s role in the global climate discourse as paradoxical, Prof Abdulai said the continent was often left out on issues pertaining to energy transition even though it contributes the least to climate change.
“Our continent occupies a paradoxical position. We contribute the least to climate change, yet bearing the brunt of its impact,” he said.
He urged African countries to reduce their dependence on imported energy and leverage their abundant natural resources to build resilient domestic energy systems.
Prof. Abdulai, who encouraged African governments to explore their renewable energy potential, also urged them to consider the use of portions of oil revenues to support the development of greener energy systems.
He said while energy transition was inevitable, the process must be managed cautiously to avoid destabilising fragile economies.
Mr. John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, in an speech delivered on his behalf by Dr. Ishmael Ackah, Technical Advisor at the Ministry, said energy transition must be implemented in a way that protects vulnerable populations.
“We believe that the energy transition is necessary for both environmental and economic reasons, but it must be just and leave no one behind,” he said.
He disclosed that Ghana currently had an electricity access rate of up to 90 per cent and remained committed to achieving universal access by 2030.
He also announced the establishment of a Renewable Energy and Green Transition Fund to support the development of local green technologies, attract investment and help reduce electricity tariffs.
Mr. Jinapor, who revealed that the Government was developing standardized power purchase agreements and competitive procurement systems to attract credible private sector investment into renewable energy, said there were also plans to install solar-powered streetlights nationwide as part of efforts to advance Ghana’s green energy transition.
Mr. Jakob Linlilf, the Danish Ambassador to Ghana, urged sustained commitment to climate action despite global economic and geopolitical pressures.
“We must remain focused on climate action and the green energy transition, no matter the competing pressures in today’s world,” he said.
The two-day conference which was held at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research in Accra, brought together academics, policymakers and practitioners to examine how African countries could navigate the global shift away from fossil fuels without deepening inequality or undermining economic growth.
The event also provided an interdisciplinary platform for participants to interrogate the political economy of energy transitions in Africa and reflect on how renewable energy initiatives and critical mineral extraction intersect with broader questions of inequality, inclusion and development.
GNA
30 March 2026
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong