Renewable energy for communities campaign (RE4C)

AwuraAdwoa, a fish monger from Apam, Ghana, uses firewood and charcoal to smoke fish and cook for her family, which has led to the destruction of over 15,000 trees and caused health risks for her and other women in her community. Despite this, they feel they have no alternative energy sources. Women have been excluded from creating necessary technical solutions for Ghana's transition to cleaner energy sources, even though they are primary stakeholders in managing residential homes, particularly kitchens. This exclusion exacerbates gender inequalities and makes women more vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. To address issue RE4C aims to promote renewable energy and clean cooking methods, which will improve the livelihoods, health, and safety of women, reduce tree felling, and mitigate global warming and climate change. Closing the gender gap and fully involving women in technical, scientific, and business transformations is necessary to create sustainable and inclusive energy solutions.

OUR ACTIVITIES

Renewable energy for commproject aims to promote renewable energy and clean cooking methods among women in Ghana. This project recognizes the importance of youth and women's involvement in the energy transition process, which will help boost the renewable energy share and promote gender equality, which is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5. The project plans to engage communities by training and supporting Renewable Energy for Communities Champions (RE4CC) who will deliver clean energy directly to homes in rural communities that are not connected to the national grid. The RE4CC will receive training and exhibitions to build sustainable businesses in their communities, and strategic partnerships with the private sector will be established for effective implementation of renewable energy in the targeted communities. The project also aims to develop a RE training manual, create a platform for knowledge sharing among stakeholders within the Government and public sector and the women in the selected communities. Additionally, the project plans to conduct renewable energy training workshops, create a Renewable Energy for communities (RE4C) documentary, and introduce women to clean cooking mechanisms. This project aims to make a tangible impact in the targeted communities, one community at a time, by engaging the community on renewable energy and clean cooking methods. By involving women in the energy transition process, this project will contribute to the fight against climate change and improve the livelihoods, health, and safety of women in Ghana's rural communities. This project recognizes the importance of closing the gender gap and fully involving women in technical, scientific, and business transformations to create sustainable and inclusive energy solutions.

350 Ghana Reducing Our Carbon (G-ROC) is a network of youth groups focused on mobilizing and empowering young people to champion the need to reduce Ghana’s carbon emissions and promote renewable energy systems to combat climate change. Their vision is to achieve a 30% renewable energy mix in Ghana by 2030 through campaigns, advocacy, and innovation fairs. The organization has successfully campaigned against the establishment of coal-fired plants in Ghana, reviewed Ghana's Renewable Energy Act, and launched a Renewable Energy for Schools campaign involving over 5000 students. They have also collaborated with five districts in Greater Accra to review their Medium Term Development plans to mainstream renewable energy programs in Ghana's Energy Policy by 2030. Their efforts have been recognized with awards including the Environmental Goldman’s Prize and the most impactful climate and biodiversity group of the year 2022 in Ghana.