STORIFY FEATURE: What you missed from the 12 May, 2015 Edition of the AIF Show--#RenewableEnergy2

COMING UP!>>Ep.42: Impact of Ghana’s Power Crisis(2)…on Women, & Renewable Energy Alternatives

Episode #42:

Impact of Ghana’s Power Crisis(2)…on Women, & Renewable Energy Alternatives

The Africa in Focus Show turned 1 on 5 May, 2015.

 In the next edition of AIF Show, we will be having a conversation with some strong women about the impact of Ghana's ongoing power crisis on our mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters.

As the critical element in the nuclear family, what alternatives exist to help mitigate the impact effects on them? To that end, we will, in our second conversation with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, speak to two reps from that organisation, who will also tell us about their affordable solar lanterns, and other options that exist for women.

Furthermore, we will speak to Mrs.Catherine Appiah-Pinkrah of Ministry of Defence who will give insights into the implications of power crisis as a "peace and security" issue at the micro-level in the way it impacts the nuclear family.

With Mother's Day behind us, might it be an opportunity not just to celebrate our mothers, daughters, and sisters but...to reflect on the immense multiple roles they are compelled to assume as they seek to bring harmony to the home in the light of the more-than-usual darkness that has visited the homes of Ghanaians for 3 years.

Call us on the following numbers when we open the phone lines at 14h30 GMT

+233(0)289.000.931 // +233(0)289.931.000

Join us if you can at 1pm on 12 May, 2015.

Guiding questions

1. Everyone is being impacted by the ongoing power crisis, so why should we start segmenting which gender is most affected?

2. Suppose we operate from assumption women are even affected differently, in what specific ways does the crisis affect them, & their productivity that is different from men?

3. As we celebrate 15 years of UNSCR1325, what can the newly-established WPSComms1325 help do to intervene in the discussions on alternatives for women as they help manage the family unit, ensuring it is as harmonious as possible for both children & husbands?

4. Are we taking it for granted how the power crisis is veritably a peace & security matter at the micro-level?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Fitnat Boamah, Sales & Marketing, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Ø  Akua Okyere-Nyako, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

On the line:

·         Mrs.Catherine Appiah-Pinkrah, Ministry of Defence @ 14h00

PODCAST!>>Ep.39: Impact of Ghana's Power Crisis(1): Why Renewable Energy?

EPISODE #39
Research & Co-ordination: E.K.Bensah Jr
Executive Producer: E.K.Bensah Jr
Technical  Producer: D.J. Stagger

"Dear friends,

Kindly note due to a technical challenge, we were compelled to pre-record the show, which will be re-played on the Radio XYZ93.1 FM on 28 April, 2015 at 13h00 GMT. 

In the meantime, allow us to explain that, we used the thirty-ninth edition of the Africa in Focus Show to commence an important discussion in our "Energy Security & Renewable Energy" month on defining renewable energy and explore different aspects of the topic.

H.E.Charles Josob

We first spoke to the High Commissioner of Namibia H.E.Charles Josob, which country is celebrating 25 years of independence from South Africa, but in 2006, had the foresight to establish a Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Institute, which is located in one of the universities.
 To the extent that Namibia is even exporting power to South Africa's ESKOM (through the SADC Power Pool) suggests it is a country on the move as far as energy security is concerned. This point is buttressed by the High Commissioner's deep insights into Namibia's renewable energy technology potential, with a focus on solar energy.

Also on the line was Executive Secretary of the Ghana Association of Savings & Loans(GHASALC) Eunice Marfo who, in a brief interview, explained how GHASALC members had yet to consider renewables as they were fearful of the risk involved in considering it. She admitted that PPPs would be something, when fully-formulated, members may consider. Her message to the PURC was to be mindful of investors as Ghana continues to feel the impact of the power crisis.

But the main beef of the discussion was with Nana Yaa Jantuah of Public Utilities Regulatory Commission(PURC); and Lovans Owusu-Takyi and Bridget Menyeh -- both of SNV Netherlands Development Organisation.

Nana Yaa Jantuah

Lovans(L); Bridget (R)

PURC was there to offer insights into their advocacy on solar energy; and ways to finance it; while SNV spoke to us about why renewable energies are an important response to Ghana's power crisis; and why it is important to take seriously such technologies as sources of (new) employment.


Kindly find a link to download the podcast below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lzibu0kerczcrxl/AFRICAN%20IN%20FOCUS%20PRE-RECORDED%2014-04-2015.mp3?dl=0

Kind regards,
Emmanuel