Energy Minister Credits Asantehene for His Appointment
The Minister for Energy, John Jinapor, has credited the counsel and guidance of the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his elevation to the position of substantive Minister.
In the previous administration of President John Dramani Mahama, Jinapor served as Deputy Minister for Energy.
He was nominated as Energy Minister in January and was subsequently approved by Parliament, paving the way for his swearing-in on January 22, 2025.
During a courtesy visit to the Manhyia Palace on March 17, 2025, the lawmaker expressed his immense gratitude to the Asantehene, recalling the invaluable counsel he received while his party was in opposition.
According to Jinapor, this guidance shaped him into a fully-fledged, responsible, and capable leader.
As a result, President Mahama found him worthy of overseeing the country’s energy sector and entrusted him with the mandate.
“I thank Otumfuo greatly. While in opposition, His Majesty counselled me whenever I came to him. It is through his guidance and direction that I was found worthy of this position.”
He acknowledged the challenges of the role but was confident that, with the continued guidance of the King, he would navigate them successfully.
“The task is daunting because when the lights go off, people get angry, so I have to be diligent. I will only succeed under the tutelage and counsel of His Majesty. I will continue to serve you as always,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Otumfuo expressed confidence in Jinapor, stating that the experience he gained as Deputy Energy Minister would be instrumental in his success.
“The President has honoured him with this mandate. Previously, he was a deputy; now, he is a substantive Minister. The knowledge he acquired as Deputy Minister will assist him. The engineers here will play a crucial role in his success”.
The Minister was led by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Frank Amoakohene, and accompanied by the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Julius Kpekpena; the Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo; the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Mark Awuah Baah; the Ashanti Regional Council of State Representative, Yaw Obimpeh; and other officials.
Source: opemsuo.com / Hajara Fuseini
