A comprehensive assessment of Ghana’s energy security dimensions and environmental sustainability in a multi-indices analysis

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of Ghana's energy security and environmental sustainability using a multi-indices approach. Focusing on five key indicators: the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), Shannon-Wiener Index (H), Simpson Index (D), Adjusted Shannon-Wiener Neumann Index (SWNI), and Carbon Intensity Index (CI) are employed to assess the concentration, diversification, and dependency of Ghana's energy sources alongside carbon emissions. The results indicate a highly concentrated energy portfolio, with petroleum products and biomass dominating the energy mix. The HHI score of 0.23 reflects moderate market concentration, while the Shannon-Wiener Index of 1.5 and Simpson Index of 4.3 highlight a relatively diverse but still imbalanced energy mix. The SWNI1 score of 0.37, accounting for political risk, reveals a vulnerability due to reliance on imported energy. Furthermore, the Carbon Intensity Index of 5.50 kt CO₂ per ktoe of energy consumed (2022) underscores significant carbon emissions, necessitating a sustainable energy transition. These findings emphasize the need to enhance domestic energy production, diversify energy sources, and adopt low-carbon technologies to improve Ghana's energy security and environmental resilience.