The Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing Edward E. Obeng-Kenzo, has underscored the critical role of reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity in the successful implementation of Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy, stressing that the country’s industrial transformation agenda cannot be realised without uninterrupted power supply.

He said the Government’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme presented a historic opportunity to transform Ghana into a competitive industrial and export-driven economy but warned that factories, hospitals, transport systems, data centres and businesses could not operate around the clock without dependable electricity.

Delivering the keynote address at the 2nd Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE)-Professor Douglas Boateng Lecture Series in Accra, Ing Obeng-Kenzo said reliable power remained the lifeblood of every successful economy.

“The success of the 24-hour economy will be determined largely by the reliability, affordability and availability of power,” he stated.

Speaking on the theme, “Power Never Sleeps: VRA, the 24-Hour Economy and the Industrial Future of Ghana,” he explained that the Volta River Authority had remained at the centre of Ghana’s energy development for more than six decades.

He said VRA had evolved from hydroelectric generation at Akosombo and Kpong to thermal and renewable energy, with a current installed generation capacity of about 2,547 megawatts, supplying electricity to Ghana and neighbouring countries.

Ing Obeng-Kenzo said the Authority was investing in renewable energy, modernising generation facilities and deploying smart technologies to build a cleaner, more resilient and reliable power system capable of supporting continuous industrial production.

He noted that although Ghana had made significant progress in expanding electricity access, substantial investments were still required in grid modernisation, battery storage systems, digital monitoring technologies and other critical energy infrastructure to meet future demand.

The VRA Chief Executive said the energy sector was no longer merely a support system for economic development but the principal driver of industrialisation, job creation, investment and regional integration.

Reaffirming VRA’s commitment to powering Ghana’s economic transformation, Ing Obeng-Kenzo said: “Just as the Volta River continues to flow day and night, season after season, so too must our commitment to powering Ghana’s development remain unwavering. People may rest, but progress cannot sleep; neither can power.”

In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Ing Ludwig Annang Hesse, by the Executive Director, Ing Dr Enyonam Kpekpena, the Institution said this year’s lecture series sought to examine how the experience, infrastructure and strategic position of VRA could support Ghana’s transition to a productive 24-hour economy and a more competitive industrial future.

The address noted that the lecture also provided an opportunity to explore the investments, policies, technologies and engineering leadership required to build an energy sector that is reliable, sustainable and responsive to Ghana’s evolving development needs.

The annual GhIE-Professor Douglas Boateng Lecture Series brings together engineering professionals, policymakers, academia and industry leaders to deliberate on engineering solutions that promote sustainable infrastructure development and national economic transformation.