Ghana’s energy access journey so far: a review of key strategies

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of the programmes being implemented with a view to ascertaining if they adequately address the energy needs of the poor more holistically and sustainably. Design/methodology/approach The content of this desktop review is based on information collected through a review of available energy policy documents from the Ghana Government and related governmental agencies, such as the Energy Commission and Ghana Statistical Services, international energy-related agencies, such as the International Energy Agency (World Vision, 2013), as well as other related web searches. Additionally, global and Sub-Saharan African energy access documents were reviewed by analysing secondary data from the World Bank and UN policy reports, statistical data, strategies, regulations, protocols and other related documents (World Vision, 2013). Furthermore, some policy documents on energy access and usage were explored mainly from Senegal and Ghana to ascertain governments’ policies, regulations and strategies in the implementation of energy access policies. Findings The paper offers all the various strategies being implemented in an attempt to establish a foothold on the problem of affording the poor with clean and affordable energies. The paper also presents the rich experiences of Senegal in its bid to see expanded access in liquefied petroleum gas usage by residential consumers. Originality/value The paper provides some policy and theoretical implications for improving Ghana’s energy access.

Unwrapping the nexus between the off-grid system and its impact on the islands and remote villages of Ghana

“…The average monthly expenditure on wood fuel (US$28) was higher than the remaining sources of energy (less than US$10 each). Likewise, Bukari et al (2020) reveal that, in Ghana, wood fuel is largely the major source of fuel for cooking because of its cheaper source of energy in rural communities compared with other sources of energy. However, firewood is used frequently for daily cooking in rural communities, which increases its cost.…”

“…In Ghana, although the country has reached about 85% of its electricity access (Energy Commission, 2020), rural, isolated, low-population densities and island communities are still underprivileged compared to urban areas (Nana Amoasi VII, 2020; Bukari et al , 2020). This has broadly been associated, primarily, with the current power supply whereby challenges and economic viabilities do not permit centralised grid connections in all country areas (Merem et al , 2018).…”

Promoting the Solar Industry in Ghana through Effective Public-Private Partnership (PPP): Some Lessons from South Africa and Morocco

“…The advancement of a country's energy needs is as crucial as issues of food security, health, and general well-being of the people since energy is a backbone of economic development and sustainability [10]. Growth in solar technology in the energy mix of Ghana is much anticipated, as various attempts to fully integrate solar started in the early 1990s [11,12]. In 2007, a once over-dependent low-income country migrated to middleincome status as the availability of energy services increased and economic activities boomed up [13].…”

Integration of Advanced Metering Infrastructure for Mini-Grid Solar PV Systems in Off-Grid Rural Communities (SoAMIRural)

“…Of the 17% without electricity access, 63% are in rural areas, while 37% are in urban/peri-urban areas. Additionally, out of the 83% with electricity access, 91% are in urban areas, leaving 9% in rural areas with access to electricity [3]. This translates to approximately 1.2 million households without electricity in Ghana [2].…”