By Samuel Akumatey
Ho, Dec. 13, GNA – STEMinist Foundation Ghana has called on the Government to hasten plans to connect island communities on the Volta Lake to the national electricity grid.
Settlements on the Volta Lake, most of which were created after the construction of the Akosombo Dam, are among areas in the country with no electricity coverage.
STEMinist Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to women empowerment, has taken up advocacy, and, supported by the Funding for Social Change Ltd, launched a campaign called “Energy Justice for Akosombo Islands” at Lala, an island community in the Sene East District of the Bono Region.
The Foundation, in its campaign, among others, is demanding the establishment of solar mini grids as promised by the Government.
The Government of Ghana in 2020 entered an agreement with the African Development Fund to construct 35 solar mini grids for such communities but are yet to materialise.
The Campaign is being led by women, and Ellen Dugbakuor Kugblenu, Programs Officer for the Foundation who is a lead advocate, spoke of the plight of the off-grid island communities.
She said: “These delays highlight a critical need for prioritising energy justice, ensuring that the benefits of Ghana’s renewable energy transition extend to everyone, including those in last-mile communities”
“Without reliable access to electricity, women in these communities struggle to run businesses, children cannot study at night, and healthcare systems falter due to lacking basic resources like medicine and refrigeration.”
Ms. Kugblenu said the timing of the campaign launch met the peak of the nation’s electioneering period, and which should help engage the commitment of political leaders.
“As election day approaches, the campaign serves as a potent reminder that energy justice is not just an issue of infrastructure but a matter of equity and human dignity.
“Politicians must make concrete commitments to ensure these communities are no longer left behind. Winning an election is not the end—it is the beginning of delivering on promises made,” the Programs Officer said.
Speaking on the broader ideals of the campaign she said it was expected to contribute to advocacy for nationwide electricity access.
“The Energy Justice for Akosombo Islands Campaign will contribute to Ghana’s pursuit of universal energy access by 2030 by empowering marginalised voices to demand for their right to electricity access from duty bearers and highlighting the urgent need to electrify some of the most underserved areas in our nation”.
The Programs Officer called to ensure community members became part of the decision-making process for the electrification project, and also to “incorporate gender considerations to address the specific challenges women face due to energy poverty.”
The STEMinist Foundation pursues gender equity through the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for women and girls.
A training workshop was held for communities in the enclave emphasising the principles of energy justice, and using role-played real-life scenarios, women shared stories of how energy access could transform their lives.
Ms. Kugblenu said: “through advocacy skills gained during the workshop, these women are ready to hold leaders accountable and ensure community voices are heard in future energy decisions.
“The foundation envisions a future where every woman and girl, regardless of their circumstances, has access to opportunities that enable them to lead, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
“Through initiatives like the GirlsLoveSTEM campaign and community-driven energy justice projects, the STEMinist Foundation fosters sustainable development by ensuring that women and girls are central to the solutions shaping their communities.
“The Energy Justice for Akosombo Islands Campaign is a testament to this vision, placing women at the forefront of advocacy for clean, reliable, and affordable energy access”.
GNA