The Member of Parliament (MP) for Manso Nkwanta, Mr Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo, has called for increased investment in clean energy, particularly solar power, as Ghana marks the International Day on Clean Energy (IDoCE).
January 26 is set aside globally to mark the International Day on Clean Energy, proclaimed by the United Nations, to raise awareness and mobilise action for a just and inclusive transition to renewable energy.
The MP stressed the need to transition from costly and environmentally-harmful fossil fuels to renewable energy to reduce energy costs and protect the planet.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mr Fokuo mentioned that Ghana’s reliance on natural gas for energy production was unsustainable due to its high costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
He urged the government to prioritise solar energy, saying Ghana’s position along the Equator made it ideal for harnessing abundant solar power.
“Adopting residential solar energy through rooftop installations will not only reduce the cost of electricity but also contribute to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) of ensuring affordable and clean energy for all,” he said.
He noted that solar energy was becoming increasingly affordable due to advancements in technology and suggested that Ghana should learn from countries such as India, Brazil, and Chile, which have successfully rolled out large-scale solar programmes.
He proposed incentives to make solar energy more accessible, including tax credits, rebates, and grants to offset the initial cost of installations.
According to him, the key challenge to solar adoption was the initial cost, which, though substantial, was not prohibitive.
He said with government support, households and businesses could embrace solar energy and help Ghana transition to clean energy sources.
The MP also recommended the offer of subsidised loans to support installations, rewarding households that use energy-efficient appliances, and creating platforms for sending excess energy back to the national grid.
He urged the government to consider providing incentives for local production of solar panels to further reduce costs and create jobs.
Mr Fokuo called for a review of existing initiatives to identify shortfalls and accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar panels.
He called for a legislation, if necessary, to help ensure the widespread use of solar energy in homes and businesses.
“Renewable energy is the future, and Ghana should not be left behind. We must act now to save energy costs, improve public health, and reduce global warming while safeguarding our planet for future generations.
“According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), 90 per cent of the world’s electricity can and should come from renewable energy by 2050,” Mr Fokuo said.
He said as Ghana had joined the world in observing the important day, Parliament should reflect deeply on the significance of clean energy production and take bold steps to promote solar energy adoption.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
