Ghana’s technical electricity regulator, Energy Commission (EC), has honoured a former Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah, for his visionary leadership during his over twelve years of service as Executive Secretary.
Dr. Ahenkorah served as the Executive Secretary of the Commission from 2005 to 2014 and between 2017 and 2019.
He is a trained research engineer and a certified energy manager.
Dr. Ahenkorah holds an Executive MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Ghana Business School.
Dr. Ahenkorah was the founding Executive Director of the Ghana Energy Foundation.
He was a member of the first board of the National Petroleum Authority (2005-2009), that developed the strategic framework for the development and operations of the NPA.
At a Dinner and Awards ceremony in Accra to climax the Commission’s 25th Anniversary, Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah was recognised as the longest serving Executive Secretary of the Commission and was honoured with a citation for his visionary leadership during his tenure.
The citation enumerated number regulations which were developed under his leadership.
The citation reads: “You led the Energy Commission to achieve the following: To develop the necessary regulatory structures, licensing frameworks and legislation for electricity and natural gas production, transmission, distribution and energy efficiency.
“Passage of 15 legislative instruments, including the Renewable Energy Act, 2011, Act 832 and the Local Content and Local Participation Regulations for the Electricity Supply Industry,
“Amendment in 2016 of Act 541 to enable the Energy Commission to enforce the Local Content and Participation Regulations.
“Publication of the Strategic National Energy Plan for Ghana was published in 2016 and the second, the IPSMP, was also published in 2017,
“Spearheading and leading the implementation of the Ghana Efficient Lighting Initiative in 2007 which resulted in the mass replacement of six million incandescent lamps with energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps. This exercise resulted in a reduction in electricity demand by 124MW and energy cost saving of US$33million (more than double the total cost of procurement, distribution and installation of the lamps) in 2008. Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps which are more efficient than the CFL were introduced in 2010 and is now the basic lighting device in Ghana for residential, commercial and industrial applications and for street lighting.
“Introduction of Appliance Standards and Labeling in Ghana in 2005 and the development and implementation of energy performance standards and labels for electrical appliances including refrigerators, deep freezers ,air conditioners and lighting devices,
“Develop and implement the refrigerator efficiency and rebate project from 2011 to 2014 which was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Government of Ghana and UNDP.
“Develop in 2019 the Drive Electric Initiative, a policy that sought to introduce and promote the widespread use of electric mobility. The same policy document advocates for the replacement of diesel fuel with natural gas for trucks. These two policy recommendations are now on part of Ghana’s Energy Transition Plan.
“In retirement you have supported the Commission to prepare and secure Parliamentary approval for 22 new legislative instruments on Appliance Energy Performance Standards and Labeling for 21 appliances, including improve woodfuel cookstoves in November 2022.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com