UESD, NGO hold renewable energy summit
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), 350 Ghana, in partnership with the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region, has held a renewable energy summit at the university.
The programme, which was attended by the UESD community and some selected basic schools in the Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo municipalities, was on the theme, ‘’Powering the future: Transforming COP29 Pledges into Renewable Energy Action’’.
The summit brought together experts, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and students to engage in meaningful discussions on the future of renewable energy and its critical role in achieving sustainable development.
Three panel discussions looked at the role of regional leadership in accelerating Ghana’s renewable Energy Transformation, addressing finance and amplifying youth perspectives for tripling Renewable Energy Toward COP 30, Gender Justice in the fight for a just transition and empowering communities for renewable future.
The Head of Communications, 350 Ghana, Charles Wundengba, in his opening remarks, said the summit was being held to translate the key pledges made at COP 29 in Azerbaijan into concrete actions for renewable energy adoption.
He said while global leaders had committed to increasing clean energy investment, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and promoting energy equity, past experiences showed that pledges alone were not enough.
In his welcome address, the Vice- Chancellor of the UESD, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, said the mission of the UESD aligned with national and global efforts to transition towards clean, affordable and sustainable energy resources and hoped the summit would provide an excellent platform to exchange ideas, foster collaborations and explore solutions that would drive the energy transition forward.
He said the university’s aim to advance knowledge and innovation in the field of renewable energy was timely and relevant, considering the world was grappling with challenges of climate change, energy security and environmental sustainability.
Policies
Addressing the issue of funding for renewable energy projects, particularly in developing countries across Africa and also to get an African-based renewable energy solutions, 350 Ghana Head of Finance, John Agyekum Kufuor Jnr, said government should also be implementing policies and mechanisms to reduce the cost of renewable energy technologies such as taxation options and increase access to financing.
He also said to amplify youth perspective on the environment and climate change, stakeholders such as academia and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies should provide opportunities for young people to participate in decision making processes related to renewable energy and climate change and foster an international dialogue towards COP 30.
