Context
In the rural regions of Eastern Ghana, such as the Volta Region, there are regular electricity shortages, called dumsor ('off and on'), which means a persistent, irregular, and unpredictable electric power outage. The frequent Ghanaian blackouts are caused by a power supply shortage. Research shows that power cuts fall more frequently on poorer people, despite them being less able to deal with the consequences.
Some communities still have no connection to the electricity grid and others only have an unreliable electricity supply. A large part of the population is completely unaware of the benefits of renewable energies and the protection of the environment. Another issue is the lack of trained electricians, renewable energies specialists and educational opportunities for the underprivileged youth, especially for vulnerable women.
Proposition
To address the lack of opportunities and the gender imbalance, our vocational center, the Lady Volta Green Tech Academy, provides training for the disadvantaged. The shortage of qualified electricians in rapidly developing countries suggests that educating underprivileged youth and women as electricians and renewable energy specialists will allow them to get empowered, seize their destiny in their own hands and make a significant contribution to their local societies. In the entire country there are currently less than ten female certified electricians who are registered with the Ghana Energy Commission. With our training class, we have many more female students on the way to becoming certified!