The 8th edition of the Ghana Energy Awards, beyond celebrating achievements, also placed a spotlight on the transformative impact of local content initiatives.
Held on Friday, October 25, 2024 in Accra, the awards, organised by the Ghana Energy Media Group, recognised the hard work of 34 entities and personalities through various categories.
SOME OF THE AWARD WINNERS
Energy Personality of the Year Male -Kojo Aduhene, CEO, LMI Holdings
Energy Personality of the Year Female – Nana Akua Agyei, Head of Legal, Petroleum Commission
CEO of the Year – Power, Ing Samuel Dzamesi – CEO, Bui Power Authority
CEO of the year – Petroleum, Dr. Edwin Provencal – Managing Director, Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation Limited
Energy Company of the year – Power, Volta River Authority
Energy Company of the year -Petroleum, Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation Limited Company
Energy Company of the year – Renewable, Helios & Solar
Energy Institution of the year, Energy Commission
Local content Legacy Achievement Award, Dr. Ben K.D. Asante – CEO, Ghana National Gas Company
Local Content Partnership of the Year, Ghana Electrometer
Rising Star Individual, Kwaku Osei Sarpong – Managing Director, RIFE Energy Ghana
Rising Star Company, Nuclear Power Ghana
Clean Energy Initiative of the Year, Helios Solar
Energy Think Tank of the Year, Chamber of Petroleum Consumers
Local Content Torchbearer Excellence Award, Petroleum Commission
Outstanding Local Content Initiative of the Year, Volta River Authority
Local Content Leadership Impact Award, Ing. Edward Obeng Kenzo – Deputy Chief Executive Engineering & Operations, Volta River
Energy Reporter of the Year, Daryl Kwawu, Multimedia Group
Visionary Leadership Award, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Chief Executive National Petroleum Authority
Brand of the Year, GOIL PLC
Exemplary Leadership Awards, Dr. Mohammed Anim Adam
Lifetime Achievement Award, Lawyer Ama Jantuah Banful
West Africa Exceptional Energy Leadership Award, Dr. Omar Farouk.
LOCAL COTENT
Welcoming award winners and guests, event Director of the Ghana Energy Awards Ing Henry Teinor indicated that this year’s theme: “The Role of Local Content in Building Ghana’s Energy Sector,” was meticulously selected to capture the essence of the energy sector’s future.
According to him, “local content is more than a policy – it’s a catalyst for progress. This evening, we are not merely celebrating achievements, we are showcasing the real, transformative impact of local content initiatives.”
He said the vision of the GEA is bold for Ghana’s energy sector to stand as a benchmark, not only in Africa but globally. They aim to inspire other nations across the continent to create resilient and self-sustaining industries that fuel economic prosperity and national development.
He mentioned a new initiative, the West Africa Power and Petroleum Awards, explaining that it is set to expand the reach of the Ghana Energy Awards into the sub-region, recognising excellence across West Africa’s energy landscape.
The chairman of the GEA awards panel, Lawyer Kwame Jantuah, said the theme for this year’s awards was both timely and significant.
He said that local content policies have become critical tools for ensuring that Ghana’s energy industry remains sustainable and inclusive.
“They aim to empower local companies, nurture local talent, and create jobs, thereby reducing our dependence on foreign expertise and investment,” he added.
The chairman of the awarding panel commended the GEA for the awards scheme for such initiative and emphasised “the integrity of our awarding process.”
The panel includes: Hon. Dr. Kwame Ampoo, the past Chairman of the GEA Awarding Panel and Former Board Chairman of the Energy Commission; Dr. Jemima Nunoo, the Technical Director for Media and Strategic Communications at the Office of the President; Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, an economist and renown evangelist; and Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation & Development at the University of Ghana.
The special guest of honour, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, commended the organisers of the Ghana Energy Awards, the Energy Media Group, “for creating such an impactful platform.”
He reminded all gathered at the event of the responsibility each had in driving Ghana’s local content agenda forward.
“The Ministry of Energy has done marvellously well in this regard and can still do more. We must push for an environment where all stakeholders – both local and foreign – are empowered to participate fully in this journey,” he asserted.
INTEGRAL ROLE
The Minister for Energy, Herbert Krapa, in a speech read on his behalf by deputy minister for energy, John Kobina Aboah Sanie, noted that the government was committed to empowering Ghanaians to lead, innovate and excel in every aspect of the energy sector, and the GEA Awards play an integral role in this journey.
To Ghana’s international partners, the minister said Ghana values their collaboration and acknowledges their invaluable contributions to the development of Ghana’s energy sector.
He, however, noted that local content is not just a policy requirement but a shared opportunity for growth.
“By choosing to invest in the local content spirit, you help to build a more resilient and self-reliant energy sector, which in turn creates a favorable environment for future investments.
“We encourage you to continue the great work you have begun and to take our partnerships even further.”
