One example of A Rocha’s Ghana’s contribution to climate action is ongoing work in schools. A year long project in the Damongo and Kumasi regions, in partnership with the United States Embassy, Ghana, had three outcomes:

• increasing awareness on energy conservation issues in Senior High Schools
• developing strategies for efficient use of energy
• building local capacity to install and service solar lighting systems

The Do-It-Yourself program sought to train and equip participants with the basic skills in assembling a solar lighting system. Locally available materials such as used kerosene lamps, were used together with recyclable solar panels and other accessories.

In schools, students created drama performances about the use of energy and its socio-economic consequences. A team from A Rocha and Electricity Company of Ghana educated and created awareness on the need to save energy.

As a result, schools have produced different solar lighting systems using local available materials. An easy-to-use manual has been produced for schools and most now have energy audit teams overseeing the schools’ energy use.

Click here to read the full report.

Find out about more recent work in Ghana at the A Rocha Ghana website