Government to Reform Power Sector

Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Energy, has announced government's intention to reform the country's power sector to improve its operational efficiency to meet economic and social objectives of consumers.

"The reform will involve a re-definition of the industrial structure of the sector, improvement in the regulatory environment and the provision of a framework for enhancing private sector participation."

The Minister was addressing 40 utilities service experts drawn from 12 African countries to participate in the 1st meeting of the Union of Producers, Conveyors and Distributors of Electric Power in Africa (UPDEA) Scientific Committee, in Accra yesterday.

The participating countries include, Ghana, Togo, Benin, South Africa, Sudan and Angola.

The committee is a technical organ under the UPDEA and the three-day meeting would offer participants the opportunity to develop and implement relevant and credible programmes of cooperation to achieve the committee's objectives and facilitate the vision of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

Mr. Kan-Dapaah called on members of UPDEA to utilise their knowledge and expertise to form a tool for achieving the socio-economic development and growth of the African continent.

He said in-spite of contributions made by Ghana's Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam, "power supply interruptions, power shortages, and poor voltages are still common".

He said this has adversely affected the commercial and industrial sectors of the country's economy.

He called on participants to come out with innovative ways to deal with power supply problems in Africa so that unavailability of power does not pose a constraint to Africa's development. The minister said the government is in need of electric energy to transform the industrial and agricultural base of the economy to stimulate sustainable growth and create wealth. He has therefore asked the national power sector, to operate efficiently to enable the government to provide cheap, efficient and cost effective supply of energy.

Mr. Kan-Dapaah said his ministry is pursuing a number of policy initiatives including the redefinition of the role played by government in power supply.

Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby, Chief Executive of VRA and President of the Committee, asked African leaders to uphold NEPAD because its features seek the development of the continent. He said developed countries have reached this far because they made efficient use of science available to them.

"The key catalyst and facilitator for turning vision into beneficial, social and economic output for our people, lies with the persistent and systematic application of science adapted to produce relevant technologies to achieve sustained economic development and prosperity."

He asked the committee to ensure that all actions they undertake are implemented.

Mr. Mutima Sakrini, Secretary General of UPDEA, called on members to furnish the secretariat with adequate and relevant information to facilitate their work to bring sustainable development to the continent.

He said they should be creative and set up formal relationships with international institutions to expand the image of UPDEA across the continent and abroad.