Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Foreign Affairs Minister, has showcased Ghana’s progress in expanding electricity access and advancing clean energy solutions at the Paris Peace Forum in France.

Speaking at a session on global energy equity, Mr Ablakwa said Ghana’s achievements are the result of deliberate national policies and strategic international partnerships, including collaborations with the Global Energy Alliance, the Solar Alliance and the Better Planet Initiative.

He said these joint efforts have positioned Ghana as one of Africa’s leading countries in tackling energy poverty and advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all.

Ghana’s current electricity access rate stands at 89.03 percent, with 98 percent coverage in urban areas and 77 percent in rural communities. The country is targeting 100 percent nationwide access by 2030.

“It remains deeply concerning that 85 percent of the world’s estimated 645 million people without electricity live in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Mr Ablakwa noted.

He cited the case of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where national access to electricity is about 21 percent, while only 2 percent of rural communities are connected despite the country’s vast natural resources.

He indicated that Ghana is investing steadily in climate-friendly energy systems, including plans to increase renewable energy contribution from the current 4 percent to 10 percent by 2030, alongside the national rollout of one million clean cookstoves to improve air quality and reduce emissions.

Mr Ablakwa stressed that the previous Mahama administration laid a strong foundation towards achieving universal electricity access. He said ensuring that every Ghanaian community is connected to clean and affordable power is essential not only for economic growth and job creation but also for upholding human dignity.

The Paris Peace Forum serves as an international platform for governments, institutions and civil society to share innovative solutions that promote social development, cooperation and global peace.