Media Should Be Fully Engaged in Renewable Energy Dialogue - GYEM

The Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM) has called on the Government of Ghana (GoG), the renewable energy sector and civil society organizations to engage the Ghanaian media in dialogue that is aimed at promoting renewable energy (RE) in Ghana. The organization made this call as part of its advocacy efforts to review and enforce the RE Act, supported by the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund and its development partners DANIDA, EU and USAID.

The Coordinator of GYEM, Mr. Gideon Commey indicated that the Renewable Energy Act was passed to facilitate the achievement of the goal set for renewable energy in the National Energy Policy to account for 10% of total energy generation in the country by 2020. Passed by Parliament of Ghana and assented to by the President in 2011, the Act he said, provides the legal basis for fiscal incentives and regulatory framework to attract investment towards the development, utilization and efficient management of renewable energy resources in the country. He added however that regardless of the move, key provisions in the document such as establishing a Renewable Energy Authority to oversee the implementation of renewable energy projects and activities in the country, and operationalizing a Renewable Energy Fund for the development, promotion and utilization of renewable energy resources in Ghana have not been implemented.

Mr. Commey further stated that for state actors and implementing institutions to fast track the enforcement of the key provisions outlined, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive media engagement of the issue. He intimated that Ghanaian media networks and journalists have to be sensitized on the renewable energy sector to pick up discussions there and report on them.

In the light of this, GYEM is urging key stakeholders in the private and civil society sectors, as well as state actors and implementing institutions such as the Energy Commission, Ministry of Energy and others to fully engage the media. The organization also used the occasion to call on the Energy Commission and partners to fast track and expedite action on the RE Master Plan to provide concrete plans to achieve key targets in the industry. This will give overall policy goals, milestones and timelines that will guide the development of Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs), as well as their deployment and integration into the energy mix.

The Ghana Youth Environmental Movement is a leading youth-led environmental and renewable energy advocacy group in Ghana. Formed in 2012, the group has spearheaded several campaigns to promote renewable energy and environmental sustainability.