#PODCAST!>>Episode 42: Impact of Ghana’s Power Crisis(2)…on Women, & Renewable Energy Alternatives

EPISODE #42
Research & Co-ordination: E.K.Bensah Jr
Executive Producer: E.K.Bensah Jr
Technical  Producer: D.J. Stagger

"Dear friends,


In this edition of AIF Show, we had 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, we wanted to explore what alternatives exist to help mitigate the impact effects on women. To that end, we spoke, in our second conversation with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, to two reps from that organisation, who explained to us about their affordable solar lanterns, and other options that exist for women.

Furthermore, we spoke to Mrs.Catherine Appiah-Pinkrah of Ministry of Defence who gave us 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. Mrs.Appiah-Pinkrah pretty much conceded that it *is* a veritable peace and security issue as when the lights go off, and miscreants have a field day because of that, it is the women who get raped.


With Mother's Day coming on the heels of the show, it was 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.

Kindly find a link to download the podcast below, and enjoy "Africa in Focus" Show's episode#42:

https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%20PODCASTS/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%20%2012-5-15.mp3?_subject_uid=419584747&w=AABykmGzg8lk5VraVxOzviVOsXCTynHunJzaEvWiVAA6wA

Just in case you missed it: "Africa in Focus Show" is the ONLY weekly magazine on Ghanaian radio explaining; unpacking; demystifying ECOWAS; AU; and South-South cooperation policies around Africa's integration. We are airborne every Tuesday from 13h00 to 15h00 GMT. All podcasts are available for download on www.africainfocusradioshow.org  Follow the conversation using #AfricainFocus

Kind regards,
Emmanuel


www.africainfocusradioshow.org
www.twitter.com/africainfocus14
www.twitter.com/eastafricarisng

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>>Episode 40: EXCLUSIVE Interview with Namibian Ambassador to Ghana

EPISODE #40
Research & Co-ordination: E.K.Bensah Jr
Executive Producer: E.K.Bensah Jr
Technical  Producer: D.J. Stagger

"Dear friends,

H.E.Charles Josob

We dedicated the fortieth edition of the Africa in Focus Show to having an exclusive interview with the High Commissioner of Namibia H.E.Charles Josob, which country is celebrating 25 years of independence from South Africa. We talked about Namibia's tourism, aviation; its Pan-Africanist aspirations and relationships. It was revealed that one of the reasons for the slow-down/draw-down of Air Namibia was because of the visa regime! Ghanaians seeking to enter the southern African country had to make their way to Nigeria at extra cost before getting a visa. The Ambassador revealed it is now possible to obtain a visa right here in Accra for USD60.oo (almost GHS240).

Juana Akuamoah-Boateng, Assistant Producer

Also on the line was member of the CAADP Country Team Marjorie Abdin. In a brief interview, she gave us an insight into what had been happening around Africa's agriculture, which is also known as the Comprehensive Africa Agrifulture Development Programme(CAADP). Arguably one of the African Union's most successful programmes, few nationals know about it. The new vim injected into the CAADP Country Team's work, what with the establishment of an office, means that the team can go ahead and better-strategise their work on agriculture, and involve more stakeholders, including the media. Marjorie talked of bringing on board media houses like Radio XYZ93.1FM, through the "Africa in Focus" Show.

We took the opportunity to introduce to listeners my Assistant Producer Juana Akuamoah-Boateng, who will be helping out with aspects of the show's research production from hereon in.

Kindly find a link to download the podcast below, and enjoy "Africa in Focus" Show exclusive with the High Commissioner of Namibia to Ghana:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8y67sl3bley8jwd/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%20%2021-4-15.mp3?dl=0

Just in case you missed it: "Africa in Focus Show" is the ONLY weekly magazine on Ghanaian radio explaining; unpacking; demystifying ECOWAS; AU; and South-South cooperation policies around Africa's integration. We are airborne every Tuesday from 13h00 to 15h00 GMT. All podcasts are available for download on www.africainfocusradioshow.org  Follow the conversation using #AfricainFocus

Kind regards,
Emmanuel


www.africainfocusradioshow.org
www.twitter.com/africainfocus14
www.twitter.com/eastafricarisng

COMING UP!>>Ep.40: SPECIAL: Interview with Namibian High Commissioner to Ghana H.E.Charles Josob

Episode #40:

SPECIAL: Interview with High Commissioner of Namibia to Ghana H.E.Charles Josob

In this special edition of the show, we will be speaking to the High Commissioner of Namibia to Ghana on a number of issues about that beautiful country, and what possibilities exist for South-South Cooperation.

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 21 April, 2015.

Guiding questions

●     25 years of Namibia’s independence (#Namibia25)

●     Namibia’s best practices on tourism

●     State of play of “Air Namibia”

●     Intra-African trade, and Pan-African relationships, including vision at AU Peace & Security Council (call by Namibia Ambassador to Ethiopia & Sudan Anne Mutelo calling for self-determination of Sahrawi people); Southern African version of DFID?

●     Energy diplomacy, including export of power to ESKOM

Guests in the studio:

Ø  H.E. Charles Josob, High Commissioner of Namibia to Ghana ,Namibian High Commission, Accra

Ø  Juana Akuamoah-Boateng, Queens Impact Foundation/Assistant Producer, “Africa in Focus” Show

On the line

·    Abdulai Diallo, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) @13h15 to respond to XenophobicSA and Violent Extremism

·         Marjorie Abdin, CAADP Country Team member@13h35 (“Africa in the News”) to brief on agric updates

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

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

• Episode #39:  

Impact of Power Crisis (1): Why Renewable Energy, and Options for Financing?

That we have a power crisis in Ghana is obvious.

As to what ordinary citizens can do to find cost-effective solutions for it is less-so. It is for this reason we are dedicating the month of April to exploring the impacts of the power crisis on different sectors, healthy living, and an exploration of what solutions exist in renewable energies, such as solar energy.

According to a 2014 report by the Cape Verde-based EcowasCentre on Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency, the ECOWAS region is one of the most active for the promotion of renewable energy and energy-efficiency systems.

Apart from hydropower, the region is endowed with modern biomass; solar and wind energy. Ghana, like Nigeria, has biomass and hydropower. Conversely, Cape Verde has wind power. Ghana’s Eastern neighbor in Nigeria has the largest installed hydropower capacity (under 2000MW), while Ghana has 1,580MW in total with Akosombo; Kpong & Bui put together.

What’s clear from the ECREEE report is that, together, ECOWAS can have a more secure energy-security.  This is buttressed by the fact that, renewable energy systems are tools that can help propel economic development and create jobs. It comes as little surprise, therefore, that in May 2013, East African Community decided to set up a Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency agency based on the West African model in Cape Verde; and that the SADC as recently as November 2014 decided to setsame Institute up on ECOWAS’ model.

There is no gainsaying we need to be paying more attention to energy-security and renewable energies.

As we do, we need to also take into consideration what financing options exist for the procurement of renewables, such as solar energy? Are there any tax incentives already in place, as the PURC is calling for for SMEs? That news reports in March indicated that PURC was helping import solar panels for SMEs speaks to the acknowledgement of the impact of the power crisis on the Northern part of the country, where a number of SMEs are also populated.

If this is part of the PURC’s advocacy, will it scale it up to other regions and, most importantly, where will it get the money from to take what is arguably a decisive step on providing financing for a renewable energy source?

April is “Energy Security & Renewable Energy month” on the Africa in Focus Show, and we hope to hear from you as we have this very important discussion that will help offer some solutions to dynamising both the country and sub-region.

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 14 April, 2015.

Guiding questions

• What are renewable energies, and why should Ghana be interested?
• West Africa is endowed with lots of solar energy. Why has government not been patronizing solar long before the power crisis?
• Will the power crisis help make procurement of solar energy easier?
• What are some of the impacts of power crisis on Ghanaians?
• What financing options are available for Ghanaians?
• Why does Ghana’s Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) believe SMEs need financing for solar energies?
• In the absence of specific and targeted financing for private sector organisations like the Ghana Association of Savings & Loans Company (GHASALC), can organisations like SNV assist in the financing of renewables with public-private-partnerships?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Lovans Owusu-Takyi, Associate Advisor, Renewable Energy, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Ø  Bridget Menyeh, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Ø  Nana Yaa Jantuah, Director of External & Public Affairs, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

On the line:

·         H.E. Charles Josob, High Commissioner of Namibia to Ghana @13h15

· Eunice Marfo, Executive Secretary, Ghana Association of Savings & Loans Company(GHASALC) @13h30

•  website of East African Centre for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
•  website of Namibia's Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Institute