PIAC urges strategic thinking on energy transition and infrastructure planning in Ghana

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has called for deeper strategic thinking on Ghana’s energy transition, international energy relations, and long-term infrastructure planning, amid growing global shifts in technology, mobility, and power systems.

Speaking during an engagement with selected journalists from the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ), Parliamentary Press Corp, and PIAC Media in Accra over the weekend, the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee of PIAC, Samuel Bekoe, emphasized that many countries are already adjusting their economic and energy systems in response to evolving global realities, particularly the transition away from fossil fuel dependence. 

He noted that while some economies have successfully navigated earlier phases of technological and energy transitions, others are still adjusting, stressing that the pace and timing of transition differ significantly across countries depending on capacity, resources, and policy direction.

Mr Bekoe explained that historical transitions, such as shifts in food systems and the adoption of gas-based power generation, demonstrate that energy transformation is typically gradual and shaped by long-term planning rather than abrupt change.

He cited the evolution from traditional energy systems to gas-fired power generation as an example of how countries adopt new technologies over extended periods to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

According to him, Ghana and other developing economies must carefully assess how emerging technologies, including electric vehicles and advanced mobility systems, will reshape energy consumption patterns and infrastructure needs.

He argued that technological disruption will continue to redefine energy demand, warning that countries that fail to anticipate these changes risk implementing policies that quickly become outdated.

Mr Bekoe further highlighted that the global shift toward electric mobility will have significant implications for energy consumption, including reduced household fuel usage patterns and changes in national demand structures, particularly as electric vehicles become more widespread and efficient.

He also stressed the importance of integrating innovation planning into national policy frameworks, noting that emerging technologies are likely to outpace regulatory systems if proactive measures are not taken.

The PIAC member urged policymakers to consider long-term scenarios in which traditional fossil fuel systems may be significantly disrupted by advances in electric mobility, renewable energy, and other low-carbon technologies, calling for more adaptive and forward-looking energy strategies in Ghana.