The Deputy Minister of Energy, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has launched the 7th edition of the Ghana Energy Awards (GEA).
The launch of the 2023 GEA event in Accra, which officially opened nominations for prospective candidates to submit entries, also unveiled the theme for this year – ‘Ghana’s energy transition framework: Sector institutions as building blocks for the 2030-2040 targets’.
In its seventh year, the industry-owned Ghana Energy Awards scheme, organised by the Energy Media Group (EMG), aims to recognise the excellence and innovation of individuals and institutions in the country’s energy sector. It is endorsed by the Ministry of Energy and the World Energy Council, Ghana.
Apart from Mr. Egyapa Mercer, the event was graced by the Chairman of the Awarding Panel, Kwame Jantuah – an energy consultant and legal practitioner; Dr. Jemima Nunoo, Technical Director for Media and Strategic Communications at the Office of the President; and Board Member of the Petroleum Commission, Dr. Kwame Ampofo, former Chairman of the Energy Commission; and Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, an economist and renowned evangelist, as well as representatives from the various energy sector agencies.
The Deputy Minister of Energy, who was the special guest of honour for the event, in his keynote address, said government’s vision for a just and equitable transition framework aspires to discharge the country’s international obligations on climate change.
He noted that across the value chain of the petroleum industry, the role of agencies and institutions are critical to the energy transition. “This is because almost invariably, their activities and operations impact climate change or is affected by it. We simply cannot have a discussion on energy transition without institutions that are focused on the right leadership to implement the policy.”
He added that the ministry is committed to collaborating with the sector’s agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the country’s goals are aligned to the conversation on the future of the energy sector and the national industrialisation agenda.
Chairman of the Awards Panel, Mr. Jantuah, indicated that the Ghana Energy Awards is using this year’s event to recognise the various interventions and innovations being pioneered and introduced by players in the energy sector toward achieving energy transition targets.
“We believe at the GEA that every institution operating in the energy sector, both petroleum and electricity power with the support of the Ghanaian public, should contribute its quota in the national quest to make the country one that is providing clean, affordable and reliable energy,” Mr. Jantuah said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Media Group and the Event Director of the awards, Henry Teinor, in his welcome address, noted that the organisers always strive to put together a credible and impactful awards scheme that reflects the aspirations and achievements of the energy sector. The awards, he said, is one of few award schemes that extends its impact beyond the main ceremony by engaging in various activities throughout the year.
The 2023 Ghana Energy Awards features 23 competitive categories and four non-competitive categories. The competitive categories include the Energy Personality of the Year (Male and Female), Chief Executive of the Year (Power and Petroleum), Rising Star (Individual and Company), the Energy Signature Award, Visionary Leadership Award, Green Chief Trailblazer Award, Energy Reporter of the Year, among others.
The non-competitive categories are the Lifetime Achievement Award, Women in Energy Excellence Award, Osagyefo Young Leadership Award, and the Exemplary Leadership Award. The 7th GEA launch also introduced the GEA Hall of Fame, which will honour outstanding winners of the Ghana Energy Awards community whose contributions to the country’s energy sector are substantial and longstanding.
Nominations are open from June 27 until September 29. Prospective candidates can apply at www.ghanaenergyawards.com
