NRGI hosts Forum to educate Persons with Disabilities on Ghana’s Energy Transition Plan
The National Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) has held a forum to educate persons with disabilities on Ghana’s energy transition plan which entails a move from fossil fuel and other greenhouse gas-producing fuels to cleaner sources of energy.
The forum by the NRGI facilitated engagement with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations which comprise the Ghana Blind Union, Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, Ghana National Association of the Deaf, Mental Health Society of Ghana, Inclusion Ghana, Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism, Share Care Ghana, Ghana Stammering Association and Burn Survival Foundation.
The forum was to provide the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations with sufficient knowledge on trends in energy transition, the contents of the Ghana Energy Transition Framework, and the role of the Federation in promoting inclusiveness in the implementation of the Framework.
The advocacy for use of cleaner sources of energy by individuals, businesses, and countries in view of the devastating impacts of climate change has intensified over the past two decades.
Ghana, like many other countries around the world, has responded to the call and need for a shift from greenhouse gas-producing fuels to green, clean renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and green minerals.
Government has touted extensive consultations in the lead-up to the development of its energy transition framework by the National Energy Transition Committee (NETC).
This claim by the Government, however, can be challenged in view of the fact that significant segments of the population and socially excluded individuals such as PWDs have little to no knowledge of Ghana’s energy transition plan.
Speaking at the forum on Thursday, March 28, 2024, Dr Obeng Asamoah of the Ghana Federation of Disabilities Association quipped PWDs although having heard about energy transition, particularly in the media, don’t really understand what the transition is about.
“PWDs have never been part of discussions on energy transition and we don’t really understand what it is. We have heard bits and pieces of energy transition but don’t really know about it,” he averred, further thanking the NRGI for organizing the forum to educate and provide an opportunity for PWDs to be part of discussions on Ghana’s energy transition.
Dr Robert Sogbadji, a Deputy Director at the Ministry of Energy, acknowledging the somewhat exclusion of the input, concerns, and needs of PWDs in the creation of Ghana’s energy transition framework at the forum, posited the Ministry will find ways to incorporate the needs of PWDs in the implementation of the country’s energy transition plan.
“This forum is timely, it will help the Ministry know the needs of the Federation of Disabilities Association and incorporate them into the implementation of the energy transition plan,” he assured.
The objectives of the forum by the NRGI are to facilitate understanding of key concepts and developments in energy transition among Persons with Disability; create awareness of the existence of Ghana’s Energy Transition Framework and enhance the capacity of PWDs to understand, interrogate, and participate in monitoring inclusivity in the implementation of the Framework.
The forum is to strengthen the capacity of PWDs to identify channels for improving inclusivity and active engagement with Government to reduce the impacts of energy transition and hold Government to account for its commitments and targets in the Framework.
It is expected that from the forum, PWDs will have an enhanced understanding of concepts and issues on energy transition, be aware of the existence of an Energy Transition Framework, and have the capacity to understand and interrogate its contents.
Additionally, PWDs will have the capacity to actively engage in dialogues on transition impacts and hold Government accountable for commitments and targets in the Energy Transition Framework.
