Minister Jinapor Urges Continued Commitment to Energy Sector Reset for 2026

As of January 2026, the energy sector in Ghana is undergoing a major transformation under the leadership of Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition.+1

Following a landmark announcement that the government has cleared over $1.47 billion in energy sector debt, the Minister is now calling for a “year of continued commitment” to ensure these gains are not lost.

Minister Jinapor Urges Continued Commitment to Energy Sector Reset for 2026

In a powerful start to the year, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, has called on all stakeholders—from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to ordinary consumers—to maintain a steadfast commitment to the nation’s energy stability.

The Minister’s message emphasizes that while 2025 was a year of “rescue,” 2026 must be the year of sustainability and discipline.

A Decisive Financial Reset

The call comes on the heels of the government successfully settling approximately $1.47 billion in legacy debts. This massive payment has:

• Restored International Credibility: Fully repaid the World Bank Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG), ensuring future investment security.
• Cleared IPP Arrears: Settled hundreds of millions owed to key partners like Karpowership, Sunon Asogli, and Cenpower.
• Secured Gas Supply: Fully cleared outstanding invoices to ENI and Vitol, ensuring a steady flow of natural gas for power generation.

The Road Ahead: What the “Commitment” Means

Minister Jinapor highlighted that clearing the debt is only the first step. To avoid a return to the “Dumsor” era or debt accumulation, the Ministry is focusing on:

• The Cash Waterfall Mechanism: Strict adherence to this payment system to ensure that revenue collected is distributed fairly and promptly across the value chain.
• Green Transition: Scaling up renewable energy projects, including the Bui Solar Expansion, to meet the 15% renewable energy target by 2030.
• Efficiency at ECG: Tackling the commercial and technical losses at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to ensure every watt of power generated is paid for.

“The Era of Debt is Over”

Echoing the sentiments of the Ministry of Finance, Jinapor assured the public that with disciplined fiscal management, the era of uncontrolled energy debt is a thing of the past. He urged industry players to “eschew partisan politics” and prioritize innovation to attract more private investment into Ghana’s emerging Petroleum Hub and green energy sectors.+1

“We have laid the foundation by clearing the wreckage of the past. Our commitment in 2026 must be to build a power sector that is not only reliable but also affordable and self-sustaining for the long term.” — Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor