Josiah
Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has urged African nations to harness technological innovations to strengthen global initiatives aimed at enhancing climate resilience. He emphasized that this approach is vital in safeguarding the environment against the adverse impacts of climate change.
Addressing attendees at the Africa Energy Technology Conference on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Mr. Jinapor reiterated his firm belief in the potential of technological advancement to enhance efficiency and minimize waste in the utilization of natural resources. He highlighted the importance of these advancements in supporting global endeavors to build resilient climates.
Speaking on the theme “Advancing Energy Technologies for a Sustainable Future: Mitigating Climate Change, Protecting Environment, and Safeguarding Public Health,” the Lands Minister expressed confidence that the conference would accelerate efforts toward diversifying the energy mix of African nations, leading to a greater reliance on renewable energy sources.
“To maximize the benefits of these minerals for supporting the energy transition, we need to adopt innovative approaches to their exploitation to promote sustainable growth and socio-economic development while combating climate change. By harnessing the power of innovation, we can achieve greater efficiency, reduce waste, and cultivate knowledge-driven mining and energy sectors,” he emphasized.
Mr. Jinapor revealed that the government, through the implementation of the Green Minerals Policy, is committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly resource exploitation while supporting the transition to green energy. He emphasized that the transition to green energy presents African leaders with a unique opportunity to utilize technology, innovation, and value addition to develop their respective countries.
“Ghana, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, has embraced a Green Minerals Policy, aiming to promote value addition and beneficiation across the value chain of our green minerals while significantly contributing to the transition to green energy,” he stated.
While acknowledging the role of technological advancements, Mr. Jinapor emphasized that governments can also mitigate the impact of climate change through the implementation of nature-based climate actions, citing Ghana’s policies such as the Green Ghana Project.
The Africa Energy Technology Conference serves as Africa’s premier energy technology-driven exhibition and networking conference, aiming to create a unique platform for key stakeholders and industry players within the energy sector to discuss and formulate policies that promote industry development.
