The government has reaffirmed its commitment to position the energy sector as the engine of Ghana's economic transformation.
It said reliable, affordable and sustainable energy was indispensable in achieving the country's industrialisation, 24-hour economy and green transition agenda.
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, said this in a speech read on his behalf at the 2nd International Day Celebration and Exhibition at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani last Tuesday.
He said investments in electricity generation, transmission, renewable energy, natural gas and nuclear power would ensure that energy did not become a constraint to national productivity while creating jobs, attracting investment and strengthening climate resilience.
The event, which was on the theme: "Local Industries, Global Futures: Fostering Youth Mobility Through International Partnerships," was organised by the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development (GEC), and implemented by GIZ Ghana, in collaboration with UENR.
It sought to celebrate cultural diversity while promoting international education, regular migration pathways, academic exchange opportunities and global partnerships.
Energy transition
Dr Jinapor said the government's Energy Transition Framework and Investment Plan sought to diversify Ghana's energy mix through solar, wind, natural gas and nuclear power while reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports.
He explained that the transition was not only about reducing carbon emissions but also about creating new industries, generating quality jobs, attracting climate finance and promoting sustainable industrial development.
He said the government was expanding electricity generation capacity, modernising transmission infrastructure, strengthening distribution networks and deploying battery-supported solar systems to improve power reliability.
The minister disclosed that Ghana had the largest single-roof distributed solar installation and a floating solar installation in Africa, adding that mini-grid solar systems were also being deployed to provide power to islands and remote communities.
He stressed that while renewable energy would continue to expand, natural gas and nuclear power would remain critical to meeting the country's growing electricity demand driven by industrialisation, electric mobility and the 24-hour economy.
Dr Jinapor urged universities to produce graduates with expertise in engineering, artificial intelligence, cyber security, environmental science and public policy to support the country's digital energy future.
Internationalisation
The Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, said internationalisation had become central to the university's vision of preparing students to compete globally while contributing to national development.
He said the celebration highlighted how diversity, innovation and international partnerships could connect local industries to global opportunities.
Prof. Asare-Bediako encouraged students to view their talents as a passport to the world but reminded them that discipline, resilience and continuous learning were essential for success.
He appealed to the government, industry and international partners to expand internships, scholarships and exchange programmes to enhance youth mobility and skills development.
Global partnerships
The Foundation Dean of UENR's International Relations Office, Professor Amos T. Cape-Bah, said the university had signed more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding with institutions in over 30 countries, facilitating student and staff exchanges, collaborative research and international partnerships.
He said the university's international partnerships were intended to strengthen the country's energy, agriculture, natural resources and green transition sectors by equipping students with global knowledge, networks and experience.
Prof. Cape-Bah urged students to take advantage of international exchanges, scholarships and fellowships to prepare themselves for opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.
