The Minister for Energy-designate, John Jinapor, appeared before the Appointments Committee on January 13, 2025, to undergo his ministerial vetting following his nomination by President John Dramani Mahama.

He took questions on various issues regarding the energy sector, challenges and mitigation measures.

Here are five major takeaways from the vetting:

ECG-private sector framework to be issued in 6 months

Energy Minister-designate John Abdulai Jinapor has outlined a six-month timeline to establish a comprehensive framework for private sector participation in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

He reiterated the importance of transparency and expert input in the process.

“We believe there should be private sector participation. What we intend to do is to form a seven-member committee, comprising technical experts, legal minds, financial analysts, industry players, and even a consumer representative,” he stated.

Energy sector debt balloons to $3 billion

The country’s energy sector debt has surged past US$3 billion, rising from the approximately US$2 billion recorded under the previous administration of President John Dramani Mahama, according to Minister of Energy-designate, John Abdulai Jinapor.

He disputed claims suggesting the debt stood at US$5 billion at the time, explaining that reconciliations during the 2024 transition of power placed the debt stock at US$2.5 billion as of September 30, 2024.

Ghana's upstream petroleum sector

When asked how the upstream petroleum sector can become more attractive to investors, he noted that he will put measures in place when appointed as the minister.

ECG’s meter problems

John Jinapor also indicated that in order to ensure effective and readily available meter usage in the country, prepaid meters should be sold.

According to him, there are numerous faulty meters that are not working and require attention.

During his appearance before the Appointments Committee on January 13, 2025, he emphasised the importance of leveraging technology to address meter issues in the country.

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‘Dumsor’ crisis and controversies

Jinapor defended his claim that Ghana had 5 hours’ worth of fuel left during the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama.

He was questioned when he appeared before the Appointments Committee on January 13, 2025 about the validity of his claim when there seemed to have been more fuel than he reported.

Jinapor insisted that his facts were correct, adding that was the situation at hand.

He said, “There is nothing to reconcile. I was specific. I said we have 5 hours of HFO and it’s true, we had 5 hours of HFO. I said we had zero hours of DFO for Sunon Asogli and it’s true, but I don’t develop the headlines. I don’t write the stories; the recording is there, and if there is any problem with gas supply, we are going to lose 370 megawatts in 5 hours’ time, which will lead to load shedding, and as far as I’m concerned, that’s a fact.”

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SSD/MA