What experts expect from incoming Energy Minister

Investment banker, Boakye Agyarko is the minister-designate for the energy sector.

The energy sector is one fraught with numerous challenges including a weak foundation to ensure constant energy supply for commercial and domestic use.

The next energy minister will be expected to tackle the country’s generation capacity, settle debts owed Nigeria Gas, and restructure the national petroleum sector among other key issues.

3FM Business has been engaging some energy experts on what Boakye Agyarko brings on board. Dr. Ishmael Ackah is head of policy unit at the African Centre for Energy Policy, ACEP.

“The energy minister should have some experience in terms of finance and exposure. So the selection of Boakye Agyarko is right. He has that exposure and can do better. But we should be cautious as the sector is dynamic and a lot more will be required from him”, he highlighted.

On his part, energy expert Kwadwo Opoku wants the energy minister to be focused on delivering results. “He has worked extensively in other jurisdictions and has delivered. He should come on board with focus attention to details and make sure that he stayed focus on his job. I see him s a dynamic person and I’m hundred percent sure that he will deliver”, he stated.

Boakye Agyarko is 60 years old. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Ghana, Legon; an Advanced Professional Certificate in Banking from the American Institute of Banking and an MBA in Financial Economics from the Pace University, New York.

He held a Vice President position at the Bank of New York, in New York, and in over 20 years at the Bank, he worked at senior levels in various departments, including Operations Management and Analysis, Product Development, Global Network Managements, International Banking and Asset Management and the Y2K Management Group.

His responsibilities in these various departments 5 and positions included international trade finance, loan syndications, asset securitization and structured finance. He is a Consultant to Capital Economics and Investments, a start-up economic analysis and investments group in Accra, Ghana.