Ghana on Friday honoured 36 individuals and organisations for outstanding leadership and innovation in the country’s energy sector at the 9th Ghana Energy Awards (GEA), an annual industry event that recognises excellence across the energy value chain.
Organised by the Energy Media Group and endorsed by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, and the World Energy Council FEL Ghana, this year’s ceremony was held under the theme “Repositioning the Energy Sector as a Pillar of National Development.” The event drew senior government officials, diplomats, industry executives and international energy representatives.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Deputy Minister, Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, said the Awards had become a national platform for promoting high performance and transparency in the sector. He lauded the awardees for “demonstrating commitment, innovation and resilience at a time when Ghana’s energy landscape is evolving rapidly.”
Hon. Gyan-Mensah highlighted measures taken by government since January 2025 to stabilise the sector, including the procurement of 200 transformers, enforcement of the Cash Waterfall Mechanism, restructuring of power purchase agreements and targeted investments in rural electrification and solar deployment. He said the initiatives had saved the state more than US$300 million and formed part of efforts to build the foundation for a sustainable 24-hour economy.
Awarding Panel Chairman Kwame Jantuah esq. said the 2025 theme shaped the design of 26 competitive award categories and a strengthened evaluation framework. He noted that two categories—Off-Grid Energy Solution of the Year and Energy Investment Impact Award—were withdrawn after entries failed to meet required standards, reflecting the scheme’s commitment to integrity over volume.
To reinforce the credibility of the process, the Panel was supported by an independent team of technical experts led by former Energy Commission Executive Secretary Dr. Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah. The experts conducted technical reviews and nationwide site inspections to verify projects submitted by nominees.
This year’s top honours went to Volta River Authority CE Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, who was named Energy Personality of the Year (Male), and Ghana National Gas CEO Judith Adjobah Blay, named Energy Personality of the Year (Female). Maurizio Pinna of Eni Ghana won CEO of the Year (Petroleum), while Electricity Company of Ghana’s Ing. Julius Kpekpena picked up CEO of the Year (Power).
FULL LIST OF WINNERS – 9TH GHANA ENERGY AWARDS
COMPETITIVE AWARDS
- Energy Personality of the Year (Male) – Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, Chief Executive, Volta River Authority
- Energy Personality of the Year (Female) – Judith Adjobah Blay, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana National Gas Limited Company
- CEO of the Year (Power) – Kwame Kpekpena, Managing Director, Electricity Company of Ghana
- CEO of the Year (Petroleum) – Maurizio Pinna, Managing Director, Eni Ghana Exploration & Production Company Limited
- Visionary Leadership Award – Kow Eduakwa Sam, Chief Executive Officer, Bui Power Authority
- Outstanding Local Content Initiative of the Year – Ghana National Petroleum Corporation
- Energy Company of the Year (Power) – Ghana Grid Company Limited
- Energy Company of the Year (Petroleum) – BOST Energies Limited Company
- Energy Company of the Year (Renewable) – SolPower Company Limited
- Energy Institution of the Year – University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR)
- Emerging Female Leader in Energy – Susana Tiwaah Badu-Osei, Plant Operations Manager, Power Operations Department, Bui Power Authority
- Rising Star Individual (Male) – Hubert Nsoh Zan, Assistant Manager, Energy Efficiency, Energy Commission
- Rising Star Individual (Female) – Spes Enyonam Gbeddy, Senior Electrical Engineer, Protection and Control Section, Ghana Grid Company Limited
- Rising Star Company – McHall Project Consulting
- The Energy Signature Award – Duncan Amoah, Executive Secretary, Chamber of Petroleum Consumers
- Chief Green Trailblazer Award – Lesley Arthur, Chief Executive Officer, Cubica Energy Company Limited
- Downstream Company of the Year – StarOil Company Limited
- Energy Reporter of the Year – Shadrack Odame Agyare, Metro TV Ghana
- Innovation Project of the Year – Meinergy Technology Limited
- Energy Think Tank of the Year – Africa Sustainable Energy Centre
- Energy Advocate of the Year – Riverson Oppong, Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies
- Energy Sector Operational Resilience Award – JK Horgle Transport and Company Limited
- Excellence in Power Generation – Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited
- Clean Energy Initiative of the Year – Bui Power Authority
- Brand of the Year – Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies
- Corporate Social Responsibility of the Year – TotalEnergies Marketing Ghana PLC
- Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Excellence Award – Volta River Authority
- Energy Infrastructure Partnership of the Year – Energy Commission
- Upstream Company of the Year – Eni Ghana Exploration & Production Company Limited
NON-COMPETITIVE AWARDS
- Osagyefo Young Leadership Award – Matthew Seddoh Akatey – General Manager, Engineering and Operations, Helios Solar Company
- Women In Energy Excellence Award – Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Commission
- Exemplary Leadership Award – Ishmael Ackah, Technical Advisor, Ministry for Energy and Green Transition
- Energy Business Leadership Award – Michael Bozumbil, Chief Executive Officer, PETROSOL Platinum Energy Limited
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, Managing Partner Arthur Energy Africa, and Board Chairman, Volta River Authority
- Energy Sector Reformer of the Year – Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Energy and Green Transition
- African Energy Leadership Excellence Award – Anthony E. Paul, Energy, Policy and Strategy Advisor