Broken Cliché: Old Fadama adapts Renewable Energy

Old Fadama, a trading community in the Odododiodio constituency, is known for its trading activities and diverse population; occupied by Ghanaians across the regions coupled with African nationals such as persons from Togo, Benin, Nigeria, among others.

Its architectural design of temporal structures provides a plaid picture from a bird-eye view coloured with women and men at the banks of the Odaw River.

This community suits the description for a slum but to 350 Ghana is an international community worth including in Ghana’s quest for a just transition. 

From the ethnical perspective, it hosts 16 ethnic groups namely; Frafra, Ewe, Dagbani, Kokomba, Dagaare, Waala, Mamprusi, Sissala, Kotokoli, Dagomba, Krobo, Nawure, Chokorsi, Zamrama, Ashanti and Nanumba.

Unveiling #Solar4Slums Project

The Solar4Slums project, organised under the theme “Power Up Our Future with Renewables”, seeks to empower the Old Fadama community in the Greater Accra region by introducing renewable energy solutions and educational resources.

The central component of the project is the creation of a mobile solar kiosk (solar on wheels), which will serve as a communal charging hub for mobile phones and small electronic devices as well as become a resource centre on renewable energy for the community. 

Beyond the solar kiosk, the project focuses on capacity building within the community. This will be achieved through educational programs, skill development workshops, and mentorship in renewable energy technologies and climate advocacy.

The project empowers community members to actively participate in the green economy while contributing to the global fight against climate change by equipping community members with the necessary knowledge and practical skills in renewable energy.

Through this initiative, the community will not only gain access to essential energy services but also become active participants in the shift towards renewable energy and climate action thus a just transition.

Community Entry: Nima and Old Fadama

The project in its ideation stage focused on two communities which have the same label as a slum but varying characteristics such as Old Fadama being ethnic based while Nima was religious based [being Islam].

A meeting with the Kohoo Assemblyman, Mr Mohammed and his Muslim clerics was fruitful as it anticipated a boost in its diverse expertise. A muslim cleric expressed optimism stating that the skills acquired will help the community fix and replace its broken street lights with solar bulbs.

In Old Fadama, a meeting with the Community Chairman, Mr Thomas Yaw Asare and the 16 chiefs showed that the community has been marginalized in various projects therefore the #Solar4Slums project boosts their self esteem and grants them a chance to explore the world of possibilities.

Mr Asare expressed interest in replicating the project in his hometown, asking “what do you need to do the same thing in my community in the north?”

In a nutshell, the project limited itself to Old Fadama in its pilot phase due to the high cost of developing a kiosk, and goal to prioritise quality over quantity as this will serve as a reference material for future projects.

Nonetheless, Nima is not neglected as participants from Old Fadama will be engaged to share their knowledge with their Nima counterparts as a peer-learning approach.

Constructing #Solar4Slums Kiosk

Kiosk in the local palance refers to structure made of wood and mostly associated with either a Lotto Kiosk or Blue Kiosk [known for sale of alcoholic beverages].

350 Ghana’s Solar Kiosk serves as a charging hub and a renewable energy resource centre. This is designed by Architect Rhoda Osei Nkwantabisa and assembled by Engineer Godfrey Nayrko Anim, both volunteers for the #Solar4Slums Group under 350 Ghana.

The proposed design by Miss Nkwantabisa is below:


The kiosk is made of wood, aluminium roofing sheets, with two windows. The composition of the solar kiosk is wood with ten double sockets. This will be movable. 

The kiosk’s roof is monopitched, allowing for a wide area to contain the solar panels. The windows are top-hang windows, clad with solar panels. This helps to increase the total area for harvesting the solar energy. The kiosk is fabricated with low-cost wood which is treated to withstand the weather and termites.

The kiosk is painted green with a Ghanaian colours; red, yellow, green with the black star at the belt. Lastly, at the top of the belt we will put the 350 Ghana logo there.

The kiosk generates 3.5kWh which can power TV, laptops, and 10 phones at ago.

Uniqueness: In order to serve different parts of the community, the kiosk has been designed to be mobile, hence placed on a trailer for easy hauling.

Launch of #Solar4Slums Project

Saturday, September 21st, 2024 was scheduled for the project with John Agyekum and Justina Amoah as the moderators of the novel project in Ghana’s slum.

On the banks of the Odaw River, a team of volunteers from 350 Ghana trooped the Old Fadama Community. In attendance was the Secretary of Old Fadama Chiefs who doubles as the Chief for the Ewe, Togbe Arku Sabah and the Secretary to the Community Chairman, Mohammed Mumuni.

Special guests from the Environmental Protection Agency was Mrs Letitia Abra -Kom Nyaaba [Ag. Director Ghana. National Cleaner Production Centre] and Thomas Amponsah [Assistant Programme Officer Ghana National Cleaner Production Centre Environmental Protection Agency].

The program comprised various elements such as renewable energy education, developing a solar bulb, gifting of solar products and donation of the solar kiosk.

Togbe Arku Sabah in his introductory remarks stated that “We are happy about this project and the donation of the Solar Kiosk. Sometimes we experience power outage and we’re unable to charge our gadgets. Now, we have a solar kiosk in our community which can partly help address our energy needs. We will also do our best to inform others about the project.”

He further pledged commitment to ensure the community adapts renewable energy.

Ag. Director Ghana of National Cleaner Production Centre at EPA, Mrs Letitia Abra -Kom Nyaaba applauded 350 Ghana for reaching out to marginalized communities as Ghana upholds the Just Transition agenda.

Mrs Nyaaba stated that “I want to commend 350 Ghana for this project, because renewable energy contributes a lot to reducing the effects of climate change as a result of Global Warming and I see this project as bringing policy down to the ordinary Ghanaian. So it is very critical that the people will link up and know what renewable energy policy, and just transition means for them”.

“The just transition is inclusivity so as much as possible so we should as much as bring people, vulnerable people; women, young people, into the program to ensure that they come onboard.  The other aspect is the opportunities for creating jobs in the renewable energy sector, and if you look at our population in Ghana, if we combine the children and the youth that means we are getting to over 70 per cent who are in that category and it is their future that we are seeking to save guard and jobs are an integral part of it”, she added. 

Daniel Abugre Anyorigya, Co-lead of the #Solar4Slums project, applauded Old Fadama leadership for accepeting this project stating that “there is a long term plan for the initiative birthed in the community and can only be impactful with the continuous support from the community.”

#Solar4Slums Team

This is a team of volunteers which are a subset of 350 Ghana. The list of its members include;

Co-Leads: Michella Hellen Sallah, Daniel Abugre Anyorigya and Nana Akomea.

Technical Experts: Architect Rhoda Osei Nkwantabisa, Engineer Godfrey Nayrko Anim

Adminstrative Secretary: Adjoa Achaa Kesse-Sam,

Financial Advisor: John Agyekum Kuffuor

Team Members: Ritabella Esionam Garglo, Dogbe Mawuli, Daniel Kassah Nsuison, Gideon Teye, Justina Amoah, Gifty Danso, Ernest Morgan, Sandra Brew

Supporting Organizations

  • LifeStlye TV [subsidiary of Ghana Broadcasting Corportation]

In a build up to the project, through an approval from GBC’s Director of Marketing, Mr George Lomotey a media partnership with the nation broadcaster was birthed. 

Begining with a tv interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show hosted by Kafui Dey with his guests; Michella Helen Sallah [co-lead] and Engineer Godfrey Nayrko Anim.

Stream, click here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/5wGrsRKdFzU3JKg5/?mibextid=qi2Omg

Interview on #Solar4Slums Project

The discussion revealed the diversity in Old Fadama while highlighting it being a marginalized community with little or no interventions from supporting groups in the renewable energy sector.

  • Verna [a product by Twellium Industries]

Twellium sponsored the program with some products notably Verna, Bigoo Cola and Breafast Cereal. 

This reinforces the company’s commitment to push the frontiers of environmental sustainability in all forms.

  • RE4C Coalition

The Renewable Energy for Communities Coalition were present to show solidarity for 350 Ghana’s consistency in advancing the Just Transition course in marginalized communities.

This article is developed by Daniel Abugre Anyorigya, co-lead of #Solar4Slums project. He is specializes in knowledge management, and corporate communications.

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