Accra: Dr. Robert Bright Mawuko Sagbadji, the Deputy Director for Nuclear and Emerging Green Technologies at the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, emphasizes that financing a just green energy transition is critical to safeguarding Ghana's food sovereignty and protecting livelihoods. He elaborates on Ghana's strategic approach to energy transition, which is deliberately designed to avoid economic hardship while promoting sustainable development.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Sagbadji, who also serves as the Acting Coordinator for the National Energy Transition Programme, shared these insights during an interview following a panel discussion at the Future of Energy Conference 2025 in Accra. He highlighted the necessity of a green and just transition, emphasizing that it involves moving to cleaner fuels while ensuring that the economic impacts are minimized. The goal is to reduce stranded assets, minimize job losses, and maximize the benefits of energy transition without adversely affecting the economy.
Dr. Sagbadji pointed out that Ghana's energy transition framework extends to 2070, offering a gradual shift that allows the country to utilize its natural resources while progressively advancing toward cleaner energy. This approach is crucial for preventing energy poverty and avoiding the pitfalls of rushed transitions.
The Future of Energy Conference 2025, organized by ActionAid Ghana in collaboration with the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, gathered government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and development partners. The event focused on the theme: 'Financing a Just Green Energy Transition for Sustainable Food Sovereignty,' stressing the direct connections between renewable energy financing and food sovereignty, particularly in the face of climate change's impact on agriculture and energy systems.
The conference served as a platform for advocating increased investments in renewable energy to enhance food security and protect smallholder farmers. It convened stakeholders across Africa to discuss practical solutions for a sustainable and equitable energy future, with food security at the core of the discussions.
Dr. Sagbadji described the forum as an opportunity for Ghana to showcase its plans and share lessons with other African nations, many of which have yet to develop comprehensive energy transition frameworks. He emphasized the importance of the conference in disseminating Ghana's strategies to other African countries, encouraging them to develop their energy transition pathways.
Highlighting Ghana's commitment to reducing carbon emissions, Dr. Sagbadji detailed several national policies, including the Energy Transition Framework (2022-2070), the Renewable Energy Master Plan, and the National Energy Policy. These policies are coordinated to ensure Ghana's transition efforts remain coherent and measurable.
He also revealed that Ghana is updating its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 2.0 and developing NDCs 3.0 to align with international climate targets under the Paris Agreement. These actions encompass various sectors, including energy, transport, and agriculture, ensuring a comprehensive approach to emission reduction.
The discussants at the conference underscored the centrality of financing in making the energy transition equitable and effective. They resolved that linking renewable energy adoption with food sovereignty is vital, as smallholder farmers and rural communities remain vulnerable to climate change.
Mr. Kwadwo Gyasi Santo, Lecturer at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, stressed that ensuring access to clean energy solutions is crucial for sustainable food systems and national resilience. The stakeholders further resolved that by embedding inclusivity in transition policies and ensuring that vulnerable groups benefit from investments, Ghana's transition could serve as a model for other African nations facing similar challenges.
