Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, vice president, urged energy sector participants to speed up the production and usage of Ghana's oil and gas reserves during the official opening of the fifth Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon) on September 28 in Accra.

This means that even while we wish to help reduce emissions, we believe that a balance between our social, economic, and environmental obligations must be reached and maintained, he explained.

He also disclosed government intentions to switch from using fossil fuels to renewable energy by the year 2070.

“Let me add that Ghana has set a target of 2070 to fully transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

"So, even though as a government, we are fully committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070, we also have to take steps to accelerate the production and utilization of our oil and gas reserves.".

Dr. Bawumia added: “So, fossil fuels, particularly natural gas will continue to be part of Ghana’s energy mix in the short term, whilst strategies will be put in place to increase the share of renewable energy in the mix from medium to long term,”