The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has raised concerns over recent power disruptions, warning that unreliable electricity supply is becoming a major obstacle to industrial growth and undermining efforts to improve the competitiveness of Ghana’s manufacturing sector.
According to the AGI, energy challenges have evolved beyond a simple cost issue and now represent a structural constraint affecting production, investment decisions, and business expansion across key sectors of the economy.
Speaking at the Sustainable Energy B2B Expo 2026 in Accra, held under the theme “Powering Industry through Sustainable Energy,” AGI President Dr. Pharm. Kofi Nsiah-Poku said recurring power supply interruptions have exposed weaknesses in Ghana’s energy system and highlighted the urgent need for long-term solutions.
He noted that manufacturers are already grappling with rising operational costs and increasing pressure to meet global sustainability standards, making a reliable energy supply more critical than ever.
“Energy remains the lifeblood of industrial growth. Without reliable, affordable, and sustainable power, industries cannot expand, and businesses cannot compete effectively,” Dr. Nsiah-Poku stated.
He cautioned that Ghana’s aspirations to build a robust industrial economy and implement a successful 24-hour economy agenda could be undermined if a stable electricity supply is not guaranteed.
“Ghana’s ambition of building a strong industrial economy and sustaining a 24-hour economy cannot be achieved without stable and uninterrupted power supply,” he said.
The AGI President stressed that sustainable energy should no longer be viewed as a peripheral development issue but rather as a core component of the country’s industrial strategy.
“Sustainable energy can no longer be treated as an alternative discussion on the sidelines of development. It must become central to our industrial strategy,” he added.
Dr. Nsiah-Poku highlighted the AGI Energy Service Centre as one of the association’s practical interventions to help businesses improve energy efficiency and integrate renewable energy solutions into their operations.
He explained that the initiative is designed to support companies in reducing energy costs while promoting environmentally sustainable production methods.
“It represents AGI’s commitment to helping industries transition into a future where sustainability and profitability work hand in hand,” he said.
Also addressing the event, Mr. Gunnar Wegner, Cluster Coordinator for Energy and Climate at GIZ, described the energy transition as a key competitiveness issue for businesses rather than solely an environmental concern.
He compared investing in renewable energy to owning a house instead of renting one, arguing that businesses that generate part of their own power are better protected from fluctuating fuel prices and external energy shocks.
Mr. Wegner noted that renewable energy adoption and energy-efficiency investments can deliver both financial savings and environmental benefits, adding that the private sector has a critical role to play in accelerating Ghana’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
The expo brought together industry leaders, policymakers, development partners, and energy experts to explore practical solutions for advancing sustainable energy use in Ghana’s industrial sector.
Participating organisations included GIZ, Swisscontact, the UN Global Compact Network Ghana, ClimateWorks Foundation, Catalonia Trade & Investment, AHK Ghana, and the Energy Commission.
Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration, innovative financing models, supportive policies, and technological innovation to accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy solutions by businesses.
Participants also engaged in exhibitions, networking sessions, and discussions aimed at connecting companies with emerging renewable energy technologies and efficiency solutions.
The AGI believes that strengthening access to reliable and sustainable energy will be essential to boosting productivity, attracting investment and supporting Ghana’s long-term industrial transformation agenda.
