Partnership in Energy Sector Would Provide Efficient Services

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said only investors who would provide an efficient and affordable energy for the people would be involved in the privatisation of the energy sector.

"We are into privatisation of the energy sector that would continue to provide energy for the society, efficiently and at affordable prices," he said.

"Investments in the sector are huge and the state alone cannot afford it. We need partnership," he said when he administered the official oath and oath of secrecy to the members of the seven-member board of the Energy Commission at the Castle, Osu.

The Board is to monitor and supervise the sector and advise government to fashion and implement policies that would be beneficial to society.

He asked them to critically survey the various producers in the sector and advise government for partners who would provide efficient and affordable prices of energy.

President Kufuor asked them to take the environmental degradation by activities of stakeholders in the sector into consideration and should be conscious and resolve to be guided by the country's interest in their operations.

Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Asante Mamponghene and Chairman of the Board, said the sector formed the pivot of industrialisation and the government's Golden Age of Business and pledged they would perform their duties creditably.

He stressed the need to harness the tremendous renewable energy sources that existed in the country by thorough scientific research.

Daasebre Osei Bonsu said such energy sources as solar, hydro and biogas could be used to diversify sources of energy supply.

Other members of the Board are: Professor F.K. Allotey, Professor Fred Akuffo, Mr Seth Asante, Mr A.K. Addae, Mr Kobina Hagan and Mr Kofi Asante, the Executive Secretary of the Commission.