Economic management experts meet Energy Minister

Six experts in economic management from different universities and organizations in the United States on Wednesday held talks with various sector ministers separately to discuss ways of finding solutions to Ghana's economic problems.

The bottom line of the meetings is to help the country fine-tune policies and strategies with the aim of achieving the 1,000 dollars per capita income within a decade.

Dr Paa Kwesi Ndoum, Energy Minister, at his turn of the meeting with the experts led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, a special advisor to the United Nations Secretary General, said Ghana's current per capita income of around 300 dollars was unusual.

He told the team that the nation knew all of its problems "but we do not seem to have found answers to them".

Touching specifically on the Energy Sector, Dr Ndoum said no country had been able to break out of the poverty cycle without developing its energy sector.

Ghana's aim now was to move away from being a net importer of fuel to become a net exporter of power and fuel, he said.

The Minister expressed the hope that both parties at the meeting would come out with an initiative that would help achieve the nation's objectives.

Prof. Sachs observed that there was a dramatic move in Africa to change the poverty trend and Ghana had not been left out.

He noted that the West Africa Gas Pipeline Project was an important project that would have very positive implications for Ghana.

Prof Sachs said the team was yet to consider the many areas of thermal, hydro and renewable energy resources available to advise on the best options.

He criticized the use of firewood, which, he said, was not sustainable and was unhealthy for the environment.

Another area Prof Sachs touched on was funding. He said this was usually not forthcoming but promised to help source funds after both parties had determined the best option of energy supply in Ghana.