ASEC BLOG

Photo Source: Muhammad Amded Hossain/Pexels  To the African, all separate entities, each existing particulate—on their own, even—participates in a shared energy. Energy, at its proper equilibrium, holds the universe in its balanced state. Within the broader concept of sustainability, energy renewability is a key pillar enshrined under Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) which aims to also be pivotal in closing the energy access gap, particularly in the African region. This, we essentially consider the backbone to sustainable development and consumption, in that, insufficient energy supply affects all aspects of development, more specifically social, economic, environmental and most especially, the quality of life of many Africans. Renewable energy studies and exploration focuses on increasing sustainable and clean energy usage. As we seek to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and the dependence on fossil fuels on the continent, renewables become an even more increasingly impor...

Climate Action, the 13th key framework in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) drives yet again, another global conference where world leaders, negotiators, government representatives and civil society groups meet to deliberate on climate change, a menace which in the immediate, threatens global systems and society. Under the broader United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a perennial Conference of the Parties (COP) has been institutionalized to enable international communities, Africa included, to map out a roadmap to address climate crises around the globe.  In this think piece, we explore COP29’s overview and some key expectations of Africa in tackling global climate change. After the twenty-eighth COP (COP28), which was held in Dubai, from November 20th to December 13th 2023 saw intense negotiations amongst the over 85,000 participants worldwide, COP29 is expected to bring together an even much larger number of State Parties in Azerbaijan to revi...

Introduction Unprecedented changes have been observed in global climate patterns. Time and time again the world has been warned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the approaching climate disaster that will befall us if civilisation does not immediately change course. To aggravate the situation, the global community faces interlinked energy, food, and financial crises compounded by the COVID pandemic. These challenges impact marginalised and vulnerable groups, with many developing countries being particularly at risk. The importance of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, cannot be over-emphasized during such trying times. Research has shown that achieving SDG 7 is an essential step toward the achievement of other Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to gender equality, poverty reduction, health, job creation, climate, and the environment. Gender dime...

Founder of the Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC), Ing. Justice Ohene-Akoto has called for experts and innovators in Africa’s energy sector to work together to solve the energy problems faced by the continent. Speaking during a high-level discussion, he called on stakeholders to invest in the energy sector as an increase in the availability and production of power will mean a boost in GDP. Recognizing that industrialization is key, he underscored the critical role of a robust energy sector as its backbone. Without reliable electricity, the GDP suffers, impacting every facet of our economy referring to some of his academic publications on the value of lost load, in other words, the economic value of power outages. According to Ing. Ohene-Akoto, Ghana lost about 6% of her GPD as a result of power outages in the year 2016.  “This is a country whose energy access is about 87% which is impressive compared to most African countries. Over 600 million out of the about 1.4 billion ...

 Founder of the Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) , Ing. Justice Ohene-Akoto is set to speak at the 26 th World Energy Congress . The event which is set to come off in Rotterdam, Netherlands will span across 22 nd to 25 th of April 2024 where each day is dedicated to a series of sessions focused on key areas that bridge sectors, geographies, generations and systems to make faster, fairer, and more far-reaching energy transitions happen. Within the period, Ing. Ohene-Akoto who is also a board member, FEL at the World Energy Council will be part of a panel discussion on the topic, "Energy for 2 billion people: Want more, waste no?". He will be joined by some stakeholders in the African energy sector including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Nigeria, H E. Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga, Minister of Hydrocarbons, DRC, H.E. Dr. Eng. Sultan Welle, Energy Development State Minister, Ethiopia, Sharon Yeti, Co-Founder & CEO, Powe...