CCG in Ghana
Overview
CCG has been working with Ghana since November 2022, as CCG’s fifth partner country. Our academic and coordinating partners are The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (TBHEC-KNUST), officially established in August 2023.
We have been working with our collaborators to discuss key priorities and practical modes of engagement to ensure we avoid duplicating work and contribute meaningfully to the energy, transport and finance sectors.
In May 2024, CCG will had its Energy Modelling Platform – Africa (EMP-A 2024) in Ghana. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Ghana Energy Commission, Ministry of Energy, and Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. Each year, CCG runs ‘Summer Schools’ to build practical knowledge of how to use the various Energy Modelling tools that we offer such as OSeMOSYS, MAED and IRENA’s FlexTool. A full list of our Energy Modelling Offer is available here.
You can contact the in-country team here: ccgghana@knust.edu.gh
Ghana CCG Network Activities
GHANA CCG NETWORK ANNUAL WORKSHOP REPORT: September 2024
On 24-25 September 2024, the Ghana Climate Compatible Growth Network held its annual workshop at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra, marking exactly one year since the programme’s inception workshop. This event provided a unique platform for members to engage in substantive discussions, share insights, and collaborate on strategies to drive Ghana’s efforts toward sustainable growth. The workshop focused on actionable solutions and partnerships to address key challenges related to Ghana’s Energy Transition.
The workshop was attended by 68 participants drawn from government ministries, academic institutions, research organizations, civil society groups, and CCG researchers from the UK. The goal was to foster dialogue on CCG’s activities and operations within the newly launched Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The current five SIGs include Financing the Energy Transition, Green Hydrogen, Inclusive Net-Zero Emission Future, Clean Cooking, and New Energy Vehicles and Sustainable Transport. Read the full report and see pictures here.
Launch of Ghana CCG Special Interest Groups
On 25 July a meeting was held to develop the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) needed to deliver research-based solutions for each of the areas Ghana has asked to be addressed. SIGs have been created for each of these areas: Financing the Energy Transition, Clean Cooking, New Energy Vehicles and Sustainable Transport, Green Hydrogen, and Inclusive Net-Zero Emissions Future. The report on this meeting is available here
National Stakeholder Engagement Session: July 2024
On 17 July 2024, The Brew Hammond Energy Centre (KNUST), coordinating office for CCG activities in Ghana, held a National Stakeholder Engagement Session in Accra. The theme was Financial Modelling of Ghana’s energy investment and transition plan.
Key stakeholders in the energy sector attended, including representatives from the Volta River Authority (VRA), Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO), Bui Power Authority (BPA), Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG), Ghana Grid Company LTD. (GRIDCo), Ghana Carbon Office, IMANI group, and our CCG partners from Imperial College London Vivien Foster, Kota Kuribayashi and from the University of Oxford, Hannah Luscombe.
The session introduced the MinFin financial model, an emerging tool designed by CCG to examine national-level climate financing strategies, which the team aims to adapt for Ghana, following its successful application in Kenya. Stakeholders provided valuable inputs, including reconciling the investment and transition plans, ensuring the continued involvement of industry in the research working group, and committing to provide support.
We would like to thank all the participating organizations and the convening team: Prof Francis Kemausuor, Country Coordinator; Prof. Joseph Oppong Akowuah , Co-coordinator; Miss Charlotte Asiedu, the interim lead of the Special Interest Group (SIG) for Financing the Energy Transition; Dr. Ellis Kofi Akwaa-Sekyi; and Dr. Bismark Baah, both valued members of the financing SIG.
Network Inception Workshop
In September 2023, members of the CCG consortium along with more than 30 stakeholders from across the energy, transport, and finance sector in Ghana gathered to begin collaboration discussions at the Ghana CCG Network Inception Workshop. We heard from Ghanaian experts about the key policy and priority areas. Three key areas that are coming out as priorities include the electrification of transport, financing of the energy transition, and ensuring a just and inclusive transition in Ghana as the country continues to grow and develop.
The Ghana CCG Network Team
Ghana-based:
Prof Francis Kemausuor fkemausuor.soe@knust.edu.gh;
Ghana Coordinator, (KNUST)
Francis Kemausuor is a co-coordinator of CCG activities in Ghana. Francis is an Associate Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering at KNUST. He is also a fellow of The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre (the unit that coordinates CCG activities) at KNUST. His work focuses on Energy Policy and Planning, Rural Energy Systems and Bioenergy Technologies. Together with Dr Joseph Oppong Akowuah, Francis coordinates CCG activities in Ghana.
Ing Prof Joseph Akowuah joakowuah.soe@knust.edu.gh
Ghana Coordinator, (KNUST)
Joseph was until recently the Director of the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre. He is now Head of the Department for Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering at KNUST. His research focuses on post-harvest engineering, stored grain protection, techno-economic analysis, and design and development of low-capacity drying systems utilising renewable energy sources (solar and biomass) for grain handling and processing to mitigate post-harvest loss and food waste in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has over 15 years of experience in teaching, research, and extension work and is involved in various collaborative research and extension works with local and international experts.
Dr Akwasi Adu-Poku
Research Assistant/SIG Coordinator
Akwasi is an Early Career Researcher passionate about advancing knowledge in renewable energy systems, climate change, and environmental sustainability. With a proven track record of conducting rigorous research, publishing in reputable journals, and effectively collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Akwasi is dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions both in Ghana and around the world.
UK-based (Centre for Global Equality and University of Cambridge)
Dr Beth Tennyson elizabeth.tennyson@centreforglobalequality.org
Dr Kirsty Mackinlay kirsty.mackinlay@centreforglobalequality.org
Dr Lara Allen lara.allen@centreforglobalequality.org [profile]
Publications
Published September 2024: our Ghana Nuclear Policy Brief.
Research
Current Research activity in Ghana includes the following:
The Southern Partnership Fund project on Political economy of land for solar in Ghana is progressing positively with various primary data gathering activities being conducted in addition to the ongoing literature review. For instance, the Ghanaian team has visited ten solar sites in Ghana, meeting with various stakeholders. Interviews have also been conducted with community representatives and developers.
These activities have initially produced useful insights, and data collection activities will continue to be undertaken in Quarter 4. The Ghanaian team presented the research at a seminar to the MSc Sustainable Resources students in January 2024. The key findings were presented at a dissemination workshop in March in Ghana, with our colleague Julia Tomei attending online. A draft report and policy brief have been written and are undergoing review.
All the research publications relevant to Ghana can be found on the CCG Research Index here.