By: City news room

Former Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has called for the establishment of stronger and genuinely independent energy regulators to protect Africa’s long-term energy security and development. He issued this appeal at the launch of the book Energy Regulation in Africa, authored by Dr. Ishmael Ackah and Dr. Charly Gatete, at an event in Accra. The publication synthesizes expert insights from across the continent on regulatory governance and reform.

In his address, Opoku Prempeh cautioned that weak or politically susceptible regulatory bodies would lead the continent into repeating avoidable and expensive errors. He clarified that true regulatory independence, which requires fairness, transparency, and accountability, is distinct from simple autonomy. He emphasized that independent regulators must operate with clear mandates and stable resources, listening to stakeholders without being controlled by them, and must exercise their considerable authority responsibly to influence investment and economic stability.