By: Edzorna Francis Mensah
The Deputy Minister of Energy, Collins Adomako-Mensah has noted that, for Ghana and Africa to succeed in industrial growth in this 4th industrial revolution, reliable and cheap energy is required as he charged experts to address the synergy between academia, policy makers and industry to further shape policies to fit into the 4th industrial revolution.
He disclosed that, in Ghana, efforts are being made towards the 4th Industrial revolution and the Country is poised to address expected energy challenges to allow for the processing of its raw material and increase the standard of living of the citizens in the coming of the 4th industrial revolution.
According to him, the establishment of the Petroleum Hub Corporation in the Western Region is aimed to strengthen “our energy security and add value to our raw crude oil by processing it in petrol chemical industries to be established at the Hub”.
Speaking at the one-day workshop by industry players and energy experts at the 19th Biennial Workshop by Ghana Science Association at Sunyani in the Bono Region, on the theme: Innovative, Affordable and Sustainable Energy Supply in Ghana for the 4th Industrial revolution, the Deputy Sector Minister, Mr. Adomako-Mensah mentioned that, “the Cylinder Recirculation Model, which was piloted in the Bono Region, is another effort by government to bring LPG to the doorstep of the citizenry and to address the issue of the hazardous location of LGP stations in residential areas”.
On the issue of importation of electric cars to Ghana, the Minister mentioned that, the electric mobility policy and the removal of import tax on commercial electric vehicles, is another milestone achieved by government to create the enabling environment to increase the penetration of electric vehicles in Ghana, to meet our climate goals with reduced economic burden to Ghanaians, “these are a few highlights on government’s effort to prepare the country towards the 4th Industrial revolution”.
The objective of this summit, was to brainstorm and find solutions to the major contemporary energy sector challenges facing the country, and how they can be mitigated using digital technology by bringing together, Scientists and Technologist, Engineers, Policy Makers, Students, media, Research Institutions, Environmentalists, and Waste Management Companies among other.
In his welcome address, the President of Ghana Science Association, Professor Gideon Kofi Helegbe said, Ghana’s energy sector stands at a critical juncture, where the convergence of technology, policy, and investment can unlock unprecedented opportunities for: Energy efficiency and conservation, Innovative financing models, Renewable energy integration, Off-grid and mini-grid solutions”
Professor Helegbe mentioned that, “the aim of energy transition, efficiency, and conservation is to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, and also ensure that the produced energy is transmitted, distributed, and used efficiently”, and this he stressed will slow down the world’s temperature increase to the barest minimum, and eradicate the negative consequences of climate change, the world leaders met and agreed on an energy transition framework in 2015 (Paris Agreement).
“In a similar way, the seventh Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations (SDG-7) also has visions for energy to be affordably, reliably, and sustainably accessible to all”, he added.
