The 2024 edition of the prestigious Ghana Energy Awards has bestowed various honours on 34 outstanding individuals and organisations in the country’s energy sector at the 8th event ceremony of the scheme held on Friday, the 25th of October 2024 at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

The acknowledgements were in recognition of the recipients’ exceptional contributions to national development through strategic and innovative solutions to the country’s energy challenges.

Organised by the Energy Media Group, this year’s event was on the theme: “The Role of Local Content in Building Ghana’s Energy Sector”. Endorsed by the Ministry of Energy and the World Energy Council, Ghana, the event emphasised the strategic roles of various sector agencies in leveraging local expertise for sustainable growth.

The ceremony was graced by Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, alongside some of the energy sector’s finest.

In his address, he underscored the energy sector's vital role in Ghana’s development, highlighting it not only as an economic lifeline, but also the foundation for industrialisation and sustainable growth.

Speaking on the theme, he praised the Ministry of Energy for its policies designed to ensure that Ghanaian communities actively participate in, and benefit from the nation’s energy resources.

He urged both local and foreign stakeholders to empower themselves fully on this journey of local participation, and commended the Energy Media Group for providing such an impactful platform that has in diverse ways contributed to the sector's growth.

The Deputy Minister of Energy, Hon. John Sanie who delivered a speech on behalf of the Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Hon. Herbert Krapa, noted that Ghana is rewriting the narrative of its energy sector by formulating policies that promote local content, ensuring that a greater portion of the sector remain under Ghanaian ownership.

He commended existing frameworks like the Petroleum (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2013 (L.I. 2204), which have led to job creation and an increase in Ghanaian-owned businesses.

He however, emphasised the need for the ministry to streamline regulations, enhance skills development, and encourage further local innovation for the energy sector to be globally competitive. He called on international partners to continue their valuable work, yielding lasting benefits for both parties.

The Chairman of the awarding panel, Lawyer Kwame Jantuah, highlighted that local content has become a critical tool for empowering Ghanaian talents and businesses.

He also appreciated local policies for ensuring that a greater share of the sector’s benefits remain within the country, driving sustainable and economic growth.

The Event Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Media Group, Ing. Henry Teinor, noted that the choice of theme, “The Role of Local Content in Building Ghana’s Energy Sector”, accentuates a transformative force to ensure that the sector’s benefits stay within the nation, empowering local talents and reducing dependence on foreign expertise.

He announced the upcoming West Africa Power and Petroleum Awards (WAPPA), an initiative aimed at expanding the Ghana Energy Awards' legacy across the sub-region.

Ing. Teinor further revealed plans to implement a digital transformation of the Ghana Energy Awards on its 10th anniversary, incorporating cutting-edge technology to streamline the nomination and evaluation processes, ensuring real-time access and enhanced transparency.

The 2024 Ghana Energy Awards featured 25 competitive categories and five honours in non-competitive categories. The evening culminated in the recognition of Mr Kojo Aduhene, the CEO of LMI Holdings as the Energy Personality of the Year (Male), while Nana Akua Agyei, the Head of Legal at the Petroleum Commission, emerged as the Energy Personality of the Year (Female). Dr. Edwin Provencal won CEO of the Year (Petroleum) and Hon. Ing. Samuel Dzamesi was recognized as the CEO of the Year (Power).

Below is the full list of the winners for GEA ‘24

COMPETITIVE AWARD CATEGORIES

1. Energy Personality of the Year (Male) - Kojo Aduhene – Chief Executive Officer, LMI Holdings

2. Energy Personality of the Year (Female) - Nana Akua Agyei – Head of Legal, Petroleum Commission

3. CEO of the Year (Power) - Hon. Ing. Samuel Dzamesi – Chief Executive Officer, Bui Power Authority

4. CEO of the Year (Petroleum) - Dr. Edwin Provencal – Managing Director, Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation Limited Company

5. Visionary Leadership Award - Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Chief Executive, National Petroleum Authority

6. Energy Company of the Year (Power) - Volta River Authority

7. Energy Company of the Year (Petroleum) - Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation Limited Company

8. Energy Company of the Year (Renewable) - Helios Solar

9. Local Content Legacy Achievement Award - Dr. Ben. K. D. Asante – Chief Executive Officer, Ghana National Gas Company

10. Rising Star Individual - Kwaku Osei-Sarpong – Managing Director, RIFE Energy Ghana

11. Rising Star Company - Nuclear Power Ghana

12. Local Content Torchbearer Excellence Award - Petroleum Commission

13. Local Content Partnership of the Year - Ghana Electrometer

14. Outstanding Local Content Initiative of the Year - Volta River Authority

15. Local Content Leadership Impact Award - Ing. Edward Obeng-Kenzo – Deputy Chief Executive, Engineering & Operations- Volta River Authority

16. Energy Signature Award - Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo – Former Director, Renewable Energy, Bui Power Authority

17. Energy Advocate of the Year - Dr. Yussif Sulemana – Chief Executive Officer, EUREKA Energy Solutions

18. Energy Think Tank of the Year - Chamber of Petroleum Consumers

19. Energy Institution of the Year - Energy Commission

20. Energy Investment Impact Award - Rigworld Training Centre

21. Green Chief Trailblazer Award - Solomon Adjetey Sowah – Director, Power- Ministry of Energy

22. Excellence in Power Generation - Bui Power Authority

23. Clean Energy Initiative of the Year - Helios Solar

24. Health, Safety, Security and Environment Excellence Award - JK Horgle Transport and Company

25. Corporate Social Responsibility of the Year - PETROSOL Platinum Energy

26. Brand of the Year - GOIL PLC

27. Innovation Project of the Year – Meinergy Technology

28. Energy Reporter of the Year – Daryl Kwawu– Multimedia Group

29. Off-Grid Energy Solution of the Year - Webber Energy

NON-COMPETITIVE AWARD CATEGORIES

1. Osagyefo Young Leadership Award – Dr. Riverson Oppong – Chief Executive Officer, Association of Oil Marketing Companies

2. Women in Energy Excellence Award- Mrs. Wilhelmina Asamoah – Chief Director, Ministry of Energy

3. Exemplary Leadership Award – Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam – Minister of Finance, Ministry of Finance

4. Lifetime Achievement Award – Lawyer Ama Jantuah Banful

5. West Africa Exceptional Energy Leadership Award – H.E. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim – Secretary General, African Petroleum Producers' Organization