Professor Johannes Awudza, Group Chair for Biofuels and Bioenergy at the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, KNUST, has urged the government to take deliberate steps to promote the development and use of biofuels in Ghana’s energy mix. He emphasised that unless the Energy Commission and other relevant authorities show real commitment, the country’s progress in bioenergy will remain stagnant.

“The Energy Commission and the country as a whole must decide that we want to promote bioenergy and biofuels. If we fail to do that, then we must reconsider the type of fuel we are importing into the country,” Prof. Awudza stressed.

Highlighting the advantages of biofuels, he explained that they are more environmentally friendly due to the carbon-neutral nature of the feedstock used in their production. In addition, he noted that biofuels are engine-friendly, as they improve lubricity and increase the cetane number, thereby enhancing engine performance.

He recalled that during the tenure of Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond as Chairman of the Energy Commission, there was a strong push to incorporate biofuels into the national energy mix. A key component of the Renewable Energy Act was a target to achieve at least 10% biofuel usage in the national fuel blend by 2020. However, Prof. Awudza lamented that this target remains unmet.

“In the early 2000s, there was a plan to blend 10% biodiesel with 90% fossil fuel for use across the country, but now we are in 2025, and we do not even have 1% biodiesel in the mix,” he said with concern.

He acknowledged ongoing efforts by some individuals and institutions in areas such as biogas and biochar production, but emphasised that without a coordinated national policy and adequate research funding, these efforts will remain isolated and limited in impact.

Prof. Awudza concluded by calling for a concerted effort led by the government, particularly through the Energy Commission, to invest in research and development and to create a sustainable framework for biofuel production and integration in Ghana.