President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the West African Power Pool (WAPP) has the required capacity and capability to create a regional electricity market for the sub-region.

Speaking at the 12th WAPP General Assembly in Accra, the president said West Africa needs to realign its energy system to achieve a unified system.

He said, “WAPP has what it takes in terms of capacity and capability to create the regional electricity market. This is the surest way to harness the abundant energy resources of the region to accelerate the social economic development of the region and improve the living standards of our people. We must travel all down on this road. Alongside the risk, this is a moment of great opportunity for WAPP and West Africa”.

Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in the assembly to reflect on the progress made towards the establishment of the regional electricity market and identify the gaps and challenges as the sub-region marks a clear way forward.

He also called for attention to be paid to women in the energy sector.

“I must, as the 2017 African Union gender champion ask this meeting to accord particular attention to the needs of women in the energy sector. Especially in terms of health, education and economic empowerment through the availability of energy resources. For example, along the electricity supply value chain there are opportunities for directly employing women in the electricity sector, for installation and maintenance, for distribution of bills and collections. Each expert of the sector has a particular value proposition for women’s involvement.”

The 12th WAPP General Assembly is on the theme “Regional Electricity Market: Ensuring African Integration”.