Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called on the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) to take a leading role in identifying sustainable and innovative ways to increase electricity generation in Ghana, saying greater power production is essential to reducing the country’s high electricity costs.
According to the Vice President, science, technology and innovation must be at the centre of efforts to improve energy security and support national development, stressing that the ministry has a critical responsibility to develop practical solutions that will benefit the country.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang made the remarks when she paid a working visit to the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation on Monday as part of her engagements with key government institutions to assess their work and discuss strategies for addressing national development challenges.
During the visit, she acknowledged the growing concerns among Ghanaians over the rising cost of electricity and urged officials at the ministry to intensify research and innovation aimed at expanding the country’s electricity generation capacity.
“I heard you are also on high cost of electricity. But you should generate electricity for us. The Ministry of Science, we beg. Help us. What do we need to do? How do we generate more? That is part of your responsibility I humbly suggest so please help us to help ourselves more.”
Beyond energy, the Vice President also expressed concern over the growing threat of environmental pollution, particularly the indiscriminate disposal of toxic waste into water bodies and the country’s oceans.
She described the practice as a serious environmental and public health concern, warning that pollution of marine ecosystems could have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity, fishing communities and future generations if urgent measures are not taken.
“There are other areas we need to be mindful of. For example, the dumping of toxic waste in our oceans. I didn’t hear about that. How far are they and where are they coming from? And how much can anybody pay you to avoid that? I think a lot of you all know what I am talking about. And it is very important that we also pay attention.”
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