President John Mahama is committed to expanding access to electricity nationwide, his acting spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has told the media.
The minister-designate, who was speaking after an energy summit in Tanzania said African leaders had meet to “discuss ways of extending access to energy to underserved areas within Africa”.
The high-level meeting of the heads of state follows a previous summit of Energy Ministers on the continent.
During President Mahama’s address to his counterparts, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that he “shared strategies to get nation out of perennial energy problem” and advised the gathering on how “missteps” in the area of energy security can be avoided.
“He then reiterated Ghana’s commitment to ensuring that many more of our citizens get access to electricity,” the presidential spokesperson said of his boss.
“At the moment, Ghana has electricity access of about 83% which is one of the highest on the continent,” he stated.
He said the data revealed by some countries at the summit pointed out to very low electricity access levels relative to Ghana’s situation.
“It shows that Ghana is streets ahead of many of its contemporaries but more needs to be done to ensure that many more of our citizens have access to electricity,” the minister said.
According to the Energy Commission, hydropower continues to be the leading source of electricity generation in Ghana.
President Mahama has been out of the country on international duty since the week began. He has been in Kenya where he engaged President Ruto and subsequently other African heads of state during a summit.
